Rikers Island
Rikers Island
Updated
A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island
The long-awaited decision on a federal takeover will have to wait till an unknown date.
Opinion
Opinion: We must address the mental health care needs of people leaving Rikers
The current system is deeply broken, and we are failing our city by failing to provide pathways to effective treatment post-incarceration.
Opinion
Opinion: The Rikers federal monitor’s failures and the flawed Nunez consent decree
In contrast to previous consent decrees that were more narrowly tailored and helped reform Rikers Island jails, the Nunez Consent Decree tries to address systemic issues without a clear roadmap.
Opinion
Opinion: A Rikers receiver must have the power to close it
Closing Rikers will provide a natural endpoint for the receivership and an opportunity for the city to take back control of its jails.
Opinion
Opinion: Despite undeniable obstacles, Rikers Island can still be closed
Public officials have it within their power to take necessary steps toward permanently closing the atrocious jails on Rikers.
Opinion
Commentary: Yet another hearing about sexual violence on Rikers Island
This time the City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee chair Sandy Nurse voiced her frustration at the Department of Correction’s continuing failure to provide transparency.
Nonprofits
Opinion: Rikers must end the inhumane treatment of New Yorkers with mental illness
Recent reports of the use of prolonged confinement and inadequate healthcare warrant an investigation by the Board of Correction.
Adams probes
Direction of Rikers receivership could soon change if Eric Adams is out and Jumaane Williams takes over
Should the mayor no longer be in office before Nov. 12, the public advocate would be in charge and answering a judge’s order to outline what a receiver’s role will look like.
Rikers Island
Opinion: Is it possible to get the effort to close Rikers Island back on track?
The troubled jail’s closure has been cast adrift in a sea of half truths, bad ideas and polarized debate.
Criminal Justice
Rikers replacement jails won't be ready by 2027 deadline, City Hall budget director says
“We know it’s not going to happen by 2027,” Budget Director Jacques Jiha said of the plan to close Rikers Island, during a discussion of the city’s capital budget.
Nonprofits
Living a testament to humane, criminal justice reform efforts
An interview with Stanley Richards, a formerly incarcerated man of color now leading the Fortune Society.
New York City
Family of man incarcerated at Rikers who died after botched heart surgery wins $6.1 million jury award
Juan Francisco Hidalgo Flores died at a prison ward at Bellevue Hospital.
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Opinion
Commentary: A look at the new New York City Department of Correction Commissioner’s attempts at transparency show slow to no progress
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, previously the first deputy commissioner of the department, made tall promises to the Board of Correction that she didn’t deliver on.
Rikers Island
Exclusive: New Rikers commission unveils list of members
The former New York City probation commissioner and a former deputy mayor will join many original members to get the closure plan back on track.
Opinion
Opinion: The feds must take control of Rikers and then close it
Should the city jails be put into receivership or should Rikers be closed? The only correct answer is both.
News & Politics
Which city leaders are calling for a federal takeover of Rikers Island?
The city comptroller, public advocate, state attorney general, federal prosecutors and even former DOC commissioners all support federal receivership for the city’s jails.
Rikers Island
Federal monitor concludes DOC is incapable of running Rikers well
The monitor’s latest report finds that stabbings are up, deaths in custody are continuing and nothing will change so long as DOC is in charge.
Nonprofits
Advocates and local elected officials launch countdown to close Rikers
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration was called on to comply with a legal mandate of closing the troubled jail complex in 2027.
Rikers Island
What would receivership look like for Rikers Island?
Here are the options a judge has for stripping New York City of its control of the dysfunctional jail complex.
Policy
After PR stunts, damning reports and a new lawsuit, judge sets stage for potential federal takeover of Rikers next year
Federal judge Laura Taylor Swain is losing patience with the city Department of Correction, which has now come under fire from the court-appointed federal monitor, Legal Aid Society, federal prosecutors, city comptroller and Board of Correction.
