Lucas -
You have probably read the headlines, but I wanted to share the news with you directly: New York City will close the Rikers Island jail.
This is going to take a lot of work, many years, and a number of tough decisions along the way, but it will happen. So I want to explain to you in a bit more detail the steps we must take to get there, and then I am going to ask you to add your name on a petition supporting this plan.
Closing Rikers must start with lowering the jail population overall. That is job one. Twenty years ago, there were more than 20,000 people in our jails. Today we have less than half that number, and crime is down to historic lows. But to close Rikers, we have to get the number of people in our jail systems below 5,000 individuals.
The neighborhood policing model that has driven down crime to record lows is an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle. Alternative sentencing and bail reform are others.
But we must also reduce recidivism in New York City. That is why every inmate will get education, training, and re-entry planning from the day they arrive on Rikers. And our “Jails to Jobs” program guarantees anyone who is sentenced and serves time in our jail system will leave with a transitional job to help give them a chance to succeed.
All of these pieces need to work to hit our goal. But I believe we can do it. Now I want to hear from you:
The mass incarceration crisis did not begin in New York City, but by making this important change, it will end here.
In solidarity,
Bill de Blasio
Mayor, New York City