Posted on: January 21, 2026 05:00 PM

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On track to close by 2027 to decriminalization in NYC

The NYC Mayor's office says Rikers Island is on track to close by 2027 that is next year. The plan has started this month on the development of smaller jails in all boroughs except Staten Island.

The new budget to set aside is $10 billion social spending for diverse programs, community supervision for rehabilitation and mental health treatment instead of jails.

The small jails are for arraignment and other processing after arrest. Then to love, compassion and dignity using taxpayer funds to operate with high six figure salaries for non profits and other agencies that are city approved to service those arrested.

What will be the next development at Rikers Island is decided by the federal level since it doesn't belong to the city or state.

The whole scenario started when the federal government took control of Rikers Island due to misuse of funds, violence and city's failure to comply with law and order creating dangerous conditions as alleged by then Mayor de Blasio administration. The lawsuits filed by victims were blamed on the federal government due to the land while the city operated the jail.

What the federal government will do on Rikers Island is a wait and watch.