New York authorities will close the second largest prison in the United States: it will cost $ 8 billion

The authorities of New York approved a large-scale plan worth $ 8 billion. It provides for the closure of the troubled prison complex on Rikers Island and its replacement with four smaller prisons by the 2026 year. This publication writes The New York Times.

“One prison on 886 places will be located above shops and restaurants in the center of Brooklyn. Another will be next to the Queens subway station. In the Bronx, she will be replaced by the Police Department. And another place of detention will be located near the City Hall in Manhattan, ”the report said.

Such changes are coming as part of a major overhaul of New York's correctional system. They will end with the closure of the Rikers prison complex with almost 10 thousand beds. This complex has become famous for its chronic abuse and mismanagement within the institution.

“The City Council strongly endorsed this proposal on Thursday (October 17. - Ed.)by taking a step that seemed incredible just a few years ago, ”the source clarifies. We will remind that the mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio promises to close the prison "Rikers" in 2017.

The reaction of citizens and authorities

Residents of neighborhoods where new prisons will open fear that this will affect their quality of life.

Correctional officers also criticized the plan, calling it unrealistic.

Whereas City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said: “What we do today will change the city for future generations and affect the lives of every New Yorker.”

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In turn, the mayor of New York, commenting on the new plan, emphasized: "Today we have made history: the era of mass imprisonment is over."

Difficulties with closing Rikers prison

At the same time, it is noted that the closure of the Rikers complex may be fraught with a number of difficulties. The biggest problem is related to the resettlement of his prisoners in new prisons.

Recall that the prison on the island of Rikers is the second largest in the United States (the first is in Los Angeles). She received the first prisoners in the 1930's. Their number reached its peak in the 1990 years, when 22 thousands of people were detained there. Now about seven thousand prisoners remain in prison.

The closure of the prison complex and the relocation of all its prisoners will require more than $ 8 billion.

Moreover, the source emphasizes, the new prisons are not able to accommodate even a part of these criminals.

“The prisons will be about the same size - each with 886 beds. By 2026, it will be necessary to reduce the number of prisoners by more than half, ”the source concluded.

Officials said that when new prisons open, they will be safer, much smaller and more humane. They will make New York's correctional system a model for the rest of the country.

“The detainees will be provided with vocational training, mental health counseling and educational services,” the source concluded.