Mayor’s plan to close Rikers Island will double the space in Brooklyn’s prison
The de Blasio administration announced plans for building four “modern, community-based” jails throughout the four boroughs, minus Staten Island, on Wednesday that are expected to replace Rikers Island, which currently houses inmates awaiting trial throughout New York City.
The announcement stressed that the planned facilities will be much safer than Rikers Island and will offer health, educational, visitation and recreational services that are aimed at helping people to reintegrate with society once they’ve left jail.
“We’re taking a big step forward in the process of closing Rikers Island and creating a modern community-based jail system that is smaller, safer and fairer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now we can move full steam ahead on the engagement and planning for our new facilities so we can close Rikers as fast as possible.”