Closing Rikers: Creating a More Just NYC

Rikers Island epitomizes the racial and economic disparities in our criminal justice system. Nearly 90% of people held in City jails are Black or Latinx, and over half have a mental illness. 90% of people are awaiting trial, many held because they can’t afford bail.

Thanks to grassroots campaigns like #CLOSErikers, and our blueprint for transforming New York City’s justice system, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to permanently close the Rikers jails, invest in communities, and make the justice system fair for all. Watch the full video to learn how we can close Rikers and create a more just New York City.  

Halfway to History: Progress and Challenges in Closing Rikers Island

On October 26, 2022, our Commission co-hosted a symposium entitled Halfway to History: Progress and Challenges in Closing Rikers Island, together with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay. Attended by 500 people, the symposium marked the five year mid-point in the plan to close Rikers. It featured three panels, moderated by Errol Louis, Dean Meminger, and David Brand, with elected leaders, government officials, corrections experts, criminal justice advocates, and community members.

Panel 1 : Reducing the Jail Population, Building Neighborhoods and Improving Public Safety

Panel 2 : Design of New Facilities and Civic Considerations

Panel 3 : Culture Change and Transforming Corrections in NYC

You can watch the entire event here.

New York State Parole Reform

Before passage of the Less Is More Act, and despite evidence of any public safety benefit, New York State incarcerated more people for technical parole violations—like missing curfew or appointments with parole officers, or testing positive for drugs—than any other state in the country. This incarceration for parole violations cost New York taxpayers over $680 million in 2019. It also artificially inflated the Rikers population by hundreds of people.

Less Is More greatly reduced incarceration for technical violations and incentivized good behavior on parole. Backed by eight DAs and over 250 organizations, it brought us a major step closer to shuttering the notorious Rikers jails forever.

To learn more about the Less Is More Act, click here.