Rikers Island. Image Credit: NYC DEP.
On February 3, 2022, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the Rikers Island Feasibility Study, which will determine the capacity for wastewater and organics processing on Rikers Island after the Corrections facilities are shut down. (more…)
Mayor de Blasio signs new bills on February 25, 2021. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
The bills include a study of renewable energy generation and storage on Rikers Island. On February 25, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed two bills regarding energy usage, sustainability and prospective planning on Rikers Island. Both bills were sponsored by Council Member Costa Constantinides. (more…)
Hon. Jonathan Lippman answers audience questions at the 158th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLand
Former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, speaking at a CityLaw Breakfast on January 23, 2019, powerfully argued that the time has come to close Rikers Island, New York City’s notorious jail located on an island in the East River. Judge Lippman’s remarks echoed the 2017 recommendations of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform which Judge Lippman chaired. Judge Lippman spoke at the breakfast in a question and answer format as a way to bring the audience into the conversation. Judge Lippman was questioned by Greg Berman, director of the Center for Court Innovation. A transcript of Judge Lippman’s passionate and persuasive remarks follows.
Rikers Island. Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey, conversion to PNG by uploader (Herr Satz).
New borough-based detention facilities will provide on-site support services. On August 15, 2018, the De Blasio administration announced plans for four modern, community-based jails to replace the embattled Rikers Island detention facilities. In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to close Rikers Island. (more…)
Efforts to reduce violence at Rikers begin to show success. On September 19, 2017, the Department of Corrections reported that, since 2014, Corrections has seen a significant drop in serious assaults on staff, serious injury to inmates, and use of force. (more…)
