Rikers Island. File photo courtesy of NBC News

 

Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate for New York City mayor, has announced his plan to scrap the legal requirement to close Rikers Island and instead rebuild the infamous jail complex. The City Council's plan, approved six years ago, mandates the closure of Rikers by 2027, replacing it with four modern jails. This initiative aimed to address several issues, including Rikers’ deteriorating state, high costs, violence, and logistical challenges due to its distance from courthouses.

 

The jail replacement project, however, has faced delays, escalating costs, and local opposition, with construction commencing on just one new facility in Brooklyn. Cuomo, previously the governor of New York, stated that he would improve Rikers one jail at a time, maintaining operational continuity. He proposes using the land designated for the new jails for affordable housing or mixed-use developments.

 

Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani vocally opposed Cuomo’s proposal, labelling it a disregard for legal obligations and public sentiment. He argued that maintaining the current system would perpetuate a blemish on the city. Rikers, notorious for high-profile cases like Harvey Weinstein’s, has been subjected to intense scrutiny over allegations of neglect and numerous inmate deaths, leading to federal oversight.

 

Current Mayor Eric Adams has also expressed doubts about the closure plan and has called on the City Council to explore alternatives. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa stands firmly against closing Rikers, advocating instead for its renovation. Former Chief State Judge Jonathan Lippman, who leads a commission on Rikers, insisted the complex should close urgently, citing the deaths of over 70 inmates since 2020 and the $2.8 billion annual operational costs.

 

Lippman criticised the rebuilding idea as financially unsustainable and legally questionable, given the progress already made towards constructing four new jails aimed at ensuring more humane conditions.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Cuomo proposes to rebuild Rikers Island instead of closing it.
• Current plans to replace Rikers by 2027 face delays and costs.
• Critics argue rebuilding defies legal and fiscal prudence.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from ABC News 2025-10-09

 

 

I thought Diddy was going to buy the island when he gets out and partner with Trump for a Trump Resort. Diddy sure loved it there.

In preparation for aftermath of releasing the Epstein files.

They should develop it shore to shore with high rise buildings and quit letting repeat offenders out onto the streets.

 

I'd suggest low balcony railings for the repeat offender sections, like Pattaya.

 

The land of the free has 10% of the worlds population and 25% of the worlds incarcerated. I don't know how they convince the tax payers to support such a system. Also they are right up there with Saudi Arabia and Iran when it comes to executing people.

I say move the prison somewhere else develop the island except one small concrete compound in the middle surrounded by high walls and tall buildings allways in shadow a really sparse utilitarian high security prison for you know who!!

Did you see the debate? I think it's over for Cuomo at this point.