BILL NUMBER: S267

SPONSOR: BENJAMIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act authorizing the closure of the Rikers Island correctional facili-
ty; and providing for the repeal of such provision upon expiration ther-
eof

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would mandate the closure of Rikers Island Correctional Facil-
ities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 mandates that the City of New York shall close Rikers Island
Correctional Facility by July 1, 2022.

 
EXISTING LAW:
              

None.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Rikers Island has become a symbol of the worst aspects of New York's
criminal justice system. On any given day, three-quarters of the people
housed on Rikers Island are awaiting trial because they could not make
bail; 90% of people housed there are people of color. In 2014, the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York found that there
is a "deep-seated culture of violence" at Rikers, between inmates and
between staff and inmates.

In April 2017, the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal
Justice and Incarceration Reform, headed by former Chief Judge Jonathan
Lippman, concluded that closing Rikers Island is "an essential step
toward building a more just New York City." The report recommended clos-
ing Rikers and housing its inmates at local jails throughout New York
City. This would also result in cost savings, as the City currently
spends $31 million per year transporting people from Rikers to court-
houses throughout New York City.  This bill would enact the most press-
ing change recommended by the Commission, and would require the closing
of Rikers by July 1, 2020.

The bill would also require that people awaiting trial and serving
misdemeanor sentences be housed in facilities throughout New York City
closer to their attorneys, communities, and courthouses. This legis-
lation would represent a first step towards meaningful criminal justice
reform in New York City and across the State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: S.6747A

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD.

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire December 31,
2022 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed
repealed.