The construction timeline for new jails intended to replace Rikers has been pushed back, with the latest contract for a Chinatown jail now set for 2032. This is indicative of broader issues with the 'close Rikers' initiative, which aimed to shut down the island jail by 2027. Community pushback against new facilities is expected, as neighborhoods oppose having jails. Furthermore, the planned new jails will only accommodate 4,000 inmates, raising concerns given the peak populations over the years, highlighting that crime rates continue to rise amidst lighter sentences and leniencies.
With the latest contract extending the completion date for the Chinatown jail to 2032, it’s increasingly clear that the timeline for closing Rikers is unrealistic.
The original vision of closing Rikers by 2027 now appears to be unattainable, with significant delays in building smaller jails in each borough.
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