Cuomo Reverses Stance on Rikers Island Closure Amid Mayoral Race

Governor Andrew Cuomo has made headlines once again by reversing his earlier support for closing the Rikers Island jail complex by 2027. While at the Crain’s Business Mayoral Forum on Wednesday, Cuomo labeled the city’s plan for four new community jails as a “$16 billion boondoggle” that threatens property values.

The Plan for Rikers Island

Cuomo’s initial enthusiasm for the closure has shifted dramatically. He described Rikers Island as a “human rights violation” due to its deteriorating conditions but posited that a full closure is impractical. Instead, he advocates for phased rebuilding of the jail while maintaining its operation. Cuomo draws parallels to past infrastructure projects he managed, such as the renovation of LaGuardia Airport and the L subway tunnel repairs.

Key Points from Cuomo’s Recent Remarks:

• Community Development: Cuomo argues that the sites for the proposed community jails should be repurposed for affordable housing and mixed-use developments.
• Overlap with Community Concerns: Many local residents have protested the building of these new facilities, voicing concerns over their neighborhood’s future.
• Dual Approach: “We can and must do both things at once: Close Rikers as we know it, and rebuild it the right way,” Cuomo said.

Financial Aspects of the New Jail Plans

In 2019, New York’s City Council made the decision to close Rikers Island and construct four community jails, initially estimated to cost around $8 billion. However, this estimate has swelled to over $15 billion, and the timeline for the project is considerably delayed. The new facilities are intended to house roughly 4,000 inmates to replace the current Rikers population of over 7,000.

• Uncertainty: Questions remain about where the remaining 3,000 inmates will be housed or if any population reduction strategies—similar to those implemented during COVID-19—will be considered.

Experts Weigh In

Former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, who oversaw significant crime reductions in the 1990s and during Mayor de Blasio’s first term, has voiced strong opposition to the Rikers closure plan, labeling it a potential disaster.

Political Ramifications

During the forum, Cuomo took a jab at former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who backed the initial closure plan. De Blasio is currently supporting Cuomo’s opponent, Zohran Mamdani, in the mayoral race. Polls indicate Mamdani leads by double digits.

• Cuomo remarked, “The Rikers closure plan is a continuation of the legacy of the failed DeBlasio administration: Ideology over competence.”

Mamdani himself has had a complicated relationship with the Rikers closure plan. While he initially criticized it for lacking depth, he has now positioned himself as a supporter of the closure, leading to accusations of inconsistency from Cuomo.

Comments from Mamdani

Mamdani has expressed skepticism over the efficacy of prisons in general, stating on social media, “It isn’t just rhetoric to say #NoNewJails," while also indicating limitations within the progressive support for prison reform.

Cuomo’s Past Support for Rikers Closure

Cuomo has shifted from being a supporter of the Rikers closure. Back in 2019, he exclaimed, “Rikers Island is a hellhole and Rikers Island has to be closed, and it has to be closed now.” His record as governor included closing more prisons than any other state governor.

Current Polling Landscape

As Cuomo trails Mamdani in recent polls, his campaign is focused on garnering support from Republican and centrist voters. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has positioned crime-fighting as a pivotal campaign issue and is vehemently against closing Rikers.

Sliwa’s Critique of Cuomo

Sliwa has labeled Cuomo a hypocrite, criticizing what he sees as chaotic shifts in Cuomo’s stances on criminal justice reform. “When he was governor, he proudly announced he would close Rikers. I have always opposed closing Rikers,” Sliwa stated.

Cuomo’s backers are calling on Sliwa to step aside to unify the vote, but Sliwa remains determined.

Conclusion

As the New York mayoral race heats up, Governor Cuomo’s recent change of heart regarding the Rikers Island closure plan underscores the complex interplay between crime, community development, and political strategy. The future of Rikers—and of the city’s criminal justice reform—remains uncertain, as candidates position themselves to appeal to a divided electorate.

Stay updated with developments in New York’s political landscape and criminal justice reform by following local news sources.