Put an end to the ‘replace Rikers’ chaos and construct new jails in its place

The ongoing debate surrounding the closure of the city’s problematic Rikers Island jail complex has been ongoing for almost ten years, with no clear resolution in sight.

Although Mayor Adams claims that the closure of the jail complex is still progressing, promises have been made for years without tangible results.

The estimated cost of the project has more than doubled from the original $8.7 billion estimate, with none of the four replacement borough-based jails constructed yet.

Construction is currently only underway for the Brooklyn structure, with City Hall stating it will be completed by 2029.

Contracts for jails in The Bronx and Queens are still pending approval in the Comptroller’s Office, meaning construction is unlikely to start before 2031 at the earliest.

The timeline for a Manhattan jail is also delayed as the contract-bidding process restarts after the previous winner withdrew.

Furthermore, the cost for constructing all four jails has nearly doubled to $15.6 billion and continues to rise.

Additionally, the plan only allows for 4,160 beds across all four jails, while Rikers currently houses around 6,000 detainees.

While it would be ideal for crime to decrease significantly and reduce the need for jail space, it is unrealistic to assume this outcome.

Instead of building new facilities off the island, it would be more cost-effective to improve conditions on Rikers Island itself, providing better intake procedures and more humane conditions.

Moving forward, Mayor Adams should focus on addressing transportation to and from Rikers Island.

Prior to leaving office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a modern jail to replace the outdated Rikers Island complex, a plan that was later discarded by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Despite challenges with the “four replacements” plan, Mayor de Blasio eventually agreed to it, although the root issues at Rikers Island extend beyond just the physical structures.

The real problems lie in management and labor within the Correction Department, with union contracts hindering meaningful change.

Efforts to address these issues have been made through a federal consent decree, which appointed a monitor to oversee reforms within the Correction Department, albeit at a significant taxpayer expense.

While politicians continue to champion the Lippmann plan as a solution, it is clear that deeper reforms are needed to truly address the ongoing problems at Rikers Island.

Mayor Adams must acknowledge the need for significant change and consider alternative solutions such as rehabilitation programs or new constructions on the existing Rikers campus.

By taking decisive action, meaningful reform can be achieved in the city’s jails, with the potential for substantial cost savings.