Rikers Island has been the scene of constant human tragedy over the years, and those stories affect us personally.
However, New Yorkers should also know the awful statistics behind this jail complex.
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.
By comparison, 53% of New York City residents are black or Hispanic.
Source: Community States for Rikers Island
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,â€
Put another way, Rikers admits an average of 211 detainees per day.
Source: New York Times, “What is happening at Rikers Islandâ€
Approximately 8,000 of these are in Rikers Island facilities.
Source: Department of Corrections
Despite a smaller detainee population and more correction officers, violence continues to plague Rikers.
Source: Source: Comptroller Scott Stringer
“Reforms†are not working – it is time to #CLOSErikers.