Mayor Adams Must Act Now to Close Rikers

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Subject

Message

Mayor Adams, For far too long, Rikers Island has fueled a cycle of poverty and trauma that makes our entire city less safe. The Rikers Island jails, and their extension, “The Boat,” have no place in a city committed to equity and justice. Closing Rikers by 2027 is both a legal and moral mandate. As your constituent, I call on you to: -Reduce the jail population, by investing in care over criminalization, expanding the 6A early release program, and working with the courts to use every option for diversion -Permanently close and transfer vacant Rikers jails and land, and immediately begin the Renewable Rikers transformation -Expedite the completion of the borough-based jails, with designs that support the well-being of incarcerated people -Cancel plans to increase capacity in the borough jails and triple capacity for women. As long as Rikers Island exists, New York City cannot be the safe and just city we aspire to be. It’s time to turn the page.