Close Rikers
The Future of Rikers Island: Why it Matters
On October 15, 2023, members of Trinity’s Prison Ministry invited experts and those directly impacted to make the case to close Rikers, to educate our neighbors about progress thus far, and to urge folks to join the advocacy efforts.
Statement from Clergy Following Visit to Rikers Island
“Rikers is fundamentally and irreparably broken for all involved. We urge the city and the next Mayor to accelerate the timeline so this jail complex is closed as quickly as possible. And our criminal legal system must be transformed into one that is rooted in justice, redemption, respect, and love. "
- The Rev. Phillip A. Jackson and the Rev. Kevin VanHook in a joint statement after visiting Rikers Island on October 27, 2021.
The Path to Closing Rikers
Rikers Island is New York City’s main jail complex. Located in the East River and isolated from the rest of the city, Rikers has been historically known for corruption, inhumane conditions, and violence that affects not only the people incarcerated there, but also the correction officers.
On October 17, 2019, the New York City Council voted to close Rikers by 2026 and construct modern, more humane, borough-based jails. This is good news. However, we call on the City to close the jails on Rikers much faster than the current 2027 timeline and to work to immediately improve conditions on Rikers for those who remain incarcerated and those who work in the jails.
On any given day, nearly 7,300 New Yorkers are jailed on Rikers, three out of four of them awaiting trial, charged but not convicted, and, in most cases, detained at Rikers because they cannot afford cash bail. More than 40 percent of our neighbors detained here suffer from mental health issues and almost 90 percent are people of color.
A More Just New York City
In 2017, the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, also known as the Lippman Commission, issued a report calling on the city to close Rikers. The initial and a subsequent report described Rikers as a “penal colony” and “irredeemable.” The city has suggested a ten-year timeline for closing Rikers, but that is far too long, and even that timeline is not guaranteed.
New York’s Bail Reform Law: Major Components and Implications
In April 2019, New York State passed sweeping criminal justice legislation limiting the use of money bail and reforming our evidence sharing and speedy trial laws. According to analysis from the Center for Court Innovation, 43 percent of the almost 5,000 people currently detained in New York City pre-trial would have been released under the new legislation as they would no longer be eligible for either bail or detention. The new system of bail could divert thousands of people from detention, a significant step towards decarcerating NYC and closing Rikers.
