Why New York Needs to Close Rikers Island
With the mayoral elections approaching, it's essential to seek out representatives who will prioritize their constituents' needs and abolish Rikers once and for all.
A place as vibrant as New York unfortunately has the most notorious jail system in the United States, with Rikers Island being the country's last penal colony.
- Abusive detainee treatment
- Overcrowding
- Run-down infrastructure
With the mayoral elections coming up, it's important that we seek out representatives who will do right by their constituents and abolish Rikers once and for all.
The author's family experienced the injustice of Rikers firsthand when their brother was detained for 7 months while awaiting trial in 2021, causing fear and confusion.
Rikers Island spans 400 acres of land in the East River, comprising ten jails with deplorable conditions.
Author's summary: New York needs to close Rikers Island.