Introduction to Rikers Island Jail Closure

The Independent Rikers Commission, a collective tasked with examining the city’s plan to close Rikers Island, has unveiled a critical blueprint for reform and closure of the infamous jail complex that has long been characterized by unsafe conditions, high operational costs, violence and systemic dysfunction.

The comprehensive report, “A Path Forward: The Blueprint to Close Rikers,” outlines a roadmap for shutting down the facility by the legally mandated deadline of August 2027. However, the report acknowledges substantial challenges that could jeopardize this timeline.

The Need for Reform

With 61 reported deaths of incarcerated individuals on Rikers since 2020, the IRC describes an urgent need for reform. According to the report, the significant violence and neglect experienced by both inmates and staff have made the jails a humanitarian crisis and a considerable risk to public safety.
Their report urges toward the need for inmate reduction, secure treatment beds, borough-based jail construction and better mental health resources.
Jonathan Lippman, chair of the Commission and former Chief Judge of New York, calls the jail a failure for neglecting to prioritize safety.
“For decades, Rikers has been marked by dysfunction, violence, and neglect—failing not only incarcerated people, but the staff and the entire city,” Lippman said in a statement. “Our blueprint lays out a clear path for Rikers to be closed safely, as is required by law.”

Critical Statistics

The report highlights several critical statistics that reflect the dire state of Rikers. The facility, with an annual cost of approximately $400,000 per incarcerated individual, is also noted to be the second-largest psychiatric facility in the United States, housing a staggering 57% of individuals who have a mental illness. Among these, 83% of the women incarcerated have reported mental health issues, and 1,400 individuals, roughly 21%, are identified as having serious mental illness.
According to the commission’s report, 85% of uniformed staff at Rikers are Black or Latino, paralleling the statistics of the incarcerated population, where 88% belong to these racial demographics. The teams said this data reiterates the need for a reformed, borough-based system that would be more effective and cost-efficient, with projected savings of over $2 billion per year once operational.

Challenges to Closure

The blueprint also addresses the pressing issue of the 2027 closure deadline. While the completion of the closure plan is already behind schedule, the commission emphasizes that the law mandating the closure must remain in effect until a coherent and actionable plan is adopted.
“Rikers will not close by 2027 due to delays and challenges that extend beyond the pandemic and crime rates,” the report said.

Blaming City Hall

Members of Katal Center, a city-based group known for advocating for equity, health, and justice, say the IRC report was a long time coming. They claim city leaders, including Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams, who tasked the IRC with creating the report, did not prioritize it, allowing conditions at Rikers to worsen.
“When I was sent to Rikers, I remember being terrified for my life. I don’t think anything can prepare you for the violence and life-threatening conditions found there. I am grateful to have made it out alive,” Lah Franklin, a member of the Katal Center, said in a statement. “It is unconscionable that we have a mayor who refuses to care for our communities. Instead of working to shut down Rikers Island, he has been doing the complete opposite. This mayor is doing everything he can to criminalize communities of color and keep Rikers open.”

Mayor’s Response

In response, Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement to amNewYork Metro that the timetable to close Rikers by 2027 was never “realistic.”
“We are glad that the Lippman Commission is finally recognizing what we have been sounding the alarm on for years — the plan for Rikers was flawed and did not offer a realistic timeline,” the mayor said. “Knowing that 2027 did not provide enough time to close Rikers and open new borough-based jails, we have been proactive in addressing the humanitarian conditions at the complex by investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the historically neglected Department of Correction — particularly to improve conditions for incarcerated women, youth, and people experiencing mental health issues. We have also found ways to build the borough-based jails faster and as cost-efficiently as possible, despite pandemic-era construction issues that have impacted the projects. But, we cannot continue do this alone. It is critical that the city is able to unlock additional emergency capital funds — which the law passed by the City Council and the previous administration currently prohibits us from doing — to ensure that we can continue to provide adequate services to both staff and people in our charge.”

Recommendations

Within the framework of its recommendations, the IRC report advocates for the immediate acceleration of borough jail construction and the opening of secure treatment beds.
According to statistics, over 100 secure treatment beds at Bellevue Hospital lie unused due to the lack of assigning necessary staff. This deficit often leaves many inmates stuck in Rikers rather than receiving the appropriate treatment.
The recommendations further seek a significant reduction of the jail population, moving from the recently reported estimate of over 6,000 inmates down to 4,500 or fewer individuals. Notably, reforms like the New York State Office of Court Administration’s recent initiatives are expected to decrease the jail population by 1,200 to 1,600 people within three to five years, and possibly even up to 2,000.
To address reoffending and mental health issues, the commission suggests the implementation of community-based initiatives that would include expanding pretrial electronic monitoring and enhancing access to mental health services.

“This common-sense plan keeps the wishes of crime victims front and center,” Zachary Katznelson, executive director of the commission, said.

Conclusion

The Independent Rikers Commission’s report provides a critical blueprint for the closure of Rikers Island, highlighting the need for reform, reduction of the jail population, and investment in community-based initiatives. With strong leadership and a commitment to implementing the recommendations, it is possible to end the stain of Rikers forever.

FAQs

Q: What is the current state of Rikers Island Jail?
A: Rikers Island Jail is characterized by unsafe conditions, high operational costs, violence, and systemic dysfunction, with 61 reported deaths of incarcerated individuals since 2020.
Q: What are the recommendations of the Independent Rikers Commission?
A: The commission recommends the immediate acceleration of borough jail construction, opening of secure treatment beds, reduction of the jail population, and investment in community-based initiatives to address reoffending and mental health issues.
Q: What is the projected timeline for the closure of Rikers Island Jail?
A: The legally mandated deadline for the closure of Rikers Island Jail is August 2027, but the commission acknowledges that this timeline may not be realistic due to delays and challenges.
Q: What is the response of Mayor Eric Adams to the IRC report?
A: Mayor Eric Adams stated that the timetable to close Rikers by 2027 was never “realistic” and emphasized the need for additional emergency capital funds to address the humanitarian conditions at the complex.