Rikers Island's inmate population has risen to 7,067, the highest since 2019, complicating the city’s $16 billion plan to close the jail by 2027. Factors such as state prison strikes and a backlog in court cases have contributed to this increase. Despite having a maximum capacity of over 10,000, the housing of detainees at Rikers poses complications for a planned transition to four new borough-based jails, whose completion has also been pushed back to 2032, threatening further legal action if deadlines are missed.
The increase in the Rikers Island jail population to 7,067 raises concerns for the city’s plans to close the facility by 2027, as mandated by law.
Department of Correction officials attribute the spike in detainees to various factors, including state prison strikes and delays in court proceedings.
The construction of four new borough-based jails, originally aimed to replace Rikers, has faced significant delays, pushing completion to 2032.
Failure to adhere to the 2027 closure deadline could lead to legal repercussions, including fines or mandates to release individuals from custody.
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