In 2016, a growing citywide coalition led by JustLeadershipUSA in partnership with the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice are calling on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex. After decades of violence and corruption, Rikers Island is beyond reform.

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News. Press. Video. Photos. Stay connected to what’s going on with the closure of Rikers.

Facts

A breakdown of the history of violence and corruption at Rikers Island.

Detaining a person at Rikers Island for a year costs the City (i.e., taxpayers) $167,000 per year.

A fraction of those resources could turn a person’s life around and help build communities in low-income parts of the city.
Source: NYC Independent Budget Office, 2013.

93% of Rikers Island detainees are black or Hispanic.

By comparison, 53% of New York City residents are black or Hispanic.
Source: Community States for Rikers Island

85% of those detained are awaiting trial.

These are people stuck in our jails because they are too poor to make bail. The remaining detainees are serving sentences of less than a year.
Source: New York Times, “What is happening at Rikers Island,”

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The Future of Rikers

How do you see Rikers Island down the line?

Submit writing or a video showing us how you envision Rikers Island.

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Apr
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Apr
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#CLOSErikers Rally at New York City Hall (Photos)

Post by david |

• Photos

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58 NYC organizations call for the closure of Rikers Island on the steps of City Hall

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Apr
14

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Apr
14

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Momentum Builds for Criminal Justice Reform in New York City

Post by david |

• Press

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April 14, 2016 (New York, NY)— The #CLOSErikers coalition held a rally on the steps of New York City Hall today, in a major public kick-off of their campaign to close Rikers Island Jail Complex.

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Add your voice to the campaign by sending Mayor de Blasio a postcard. Upload a photo and write a message and share your thoughts about closing the jails. We will use your photo and message to create an actual postcard, delivered to Mayor de Blasio.

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Tweet #CLOSErikers

The News On Time @TheNewsOnTime

Activists Launch #CLOSErikers Campaign to Close Rikers Island – thenewsontime.com/activists-l… pic.twitter.com/BajYOzCj1a

2:29 pm · April 15, 2016 Felipe De La Hoz @FelipeDLH

“You see the sun here? It doesn’t shine there” – @VOCALNewYork‘s Nathaniel Linden on #Rikers at #CLOSErikers rally observer.com/2016/04/activi…

2:26 pm · April 15, 2016 Tigh Loughhead @tigho

Activists Launch #CLOSErikers Campaign to Close Rikers Island realestatenewsnyc.com/?p=5915…

2:22 pm · April 15, 2016 NYC Informer @newyorkcityinfo

Activists Launch #CLOSErikers Campaign to Close Rikers Island newyorkcityinformer.com/18382… pic.twitter.com/YDYdgLy94X

1:52 pm · April 15, 2016 Φασολάδα @ellinikotata

Activists Launch #CLOSErikers Campaign to Close Rikers Island ift.tt/1NcQsgM

1:47 pm · April 15, 2016

Contact Us

For More Info: janos@justleadershipusa.org

For Press: jacky@justleadershipusa.org

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