New York, NY – New York City is reportedly transferring all female and trans-identified prisoners out of the problem-plagued Rikers Island Detention Center.
In an agreement between Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio, 230 individuals will be transferred to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and the Taconic Correctional Facility. The move to the two state-run facilities is reportedly a temporary arrangement under the NYS Less is More Act.
“New York City is committed to forging a fairer, more humane justice system,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “I’m proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative, which will provide important relief for the situation on Rikers. Our reform efforts on Rikers Island have made encouraging progress, and our borough-based jails plans are moving forward and will fully transform this system – but there is no substitute for immediate support from our State partners at this critical moment in time.”
The New York City Department of Corrections [DOC] will begin transferring incarcerated individuals to the two facilities starting the week of October 18.
DOC will reportedly provide daily transportation from New York City to the facilities for family members and loved ones of detainees, beginning October 22, with pick-up locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Visitor pick-ups are scheduled from each location twice a day. DOC is expected to announce further details on its website regarding exact locations and times in the coming week.
