In the midst of the heated New York City mayoral election campaign on October 8th, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent candidate, made a statement at the mayoral candidate forum hosted by “Crain’s New York Business” advocating for the rebuilding of Rikers Island prison and calling for an end to the “Community Jail Plan” which has seen significant delays and is projected to cost the city $16 billion.
Cuomo criticized the implementation of the “Community Jail Plan,” stating that it has veered off course and has become a costly and ineffective policy mistake that not only damages communities but also fails to drive real prison reform. He proposed an alternative approach of rebuilding Rikers Island in stages to create modern, secure, and humane prison facilities while repurposing the locations designated for community jails for affordable housing and mixed-use development, with the addition of rapid bus routes to facilitate prison visitation. Cuomo emphasized that New York needs leaders who can address problems from day one.
In response, community leader Yu Jinshan of Manhattan’s Chinatown 65D District Democratic Party expressed support for Cuomo’s stance, stating that it resonates with the sentiments of the Chinese community. Yu Jinshan bluntly pointed out that the so-called “Community Jail Plan,” while sounding like judicial reform, is driven by vested interests. He highlighted the redevelopment potential of Rikers Island as a gold mine for real estate developers, while community jails risk becoming costly white elephants that burden taxpayers.
Yu Jinshan criticized the current Mayor Adams for being aware of the challenges surrounding the issue but accused the city council of prioritizing developer interests. He noted the contradictory stance of the city council, advocating for the closure of Rikers Island on one hand while supposedly opposing community jails on the other, revealing tangled vested interests behind both initiatives.
Yu Jinshan emphasized the need for a comprehensive and thorough review, agreeing with Cuomo’s perspective on the necessity for an overhaul whether it involves closing Rikers Island or promoting community jails.
However, Cuomo’s sudden declaration drew criticism from his opponent, Curtis Sliwa, the Republican and independent nominee for mayor, who strongly denounced Cuomo for his lack of consistency and alleged flip-flopping on the issue of Rikers Island. Sliwa highlighted Cuomo’s previous public calls for the immediate closure of Rikers Island in 2018 followed by a reaffirmation of that stance in September last year, contrasting sharply with his current stance of preservation.
Sliwa mockingly remarked, “Andrew Cuomo always puts himself first. Curtis Sliwa’s ‘C’ stands for Consistency, while Andrew Cuomo’s ‘C’ stands for Chaos.”
Previously, Mayor Adams had considered abandoning the plan to close Rikers Island by 2027, opting to repurpose the planned community jail sites for housing and mental health facilities, a decision met with opposition from the city council who insisted that overturning the law to close Rikers Island would be pointless.
As the city approved the construction of a massive prison complex in Chinatown, dissent against the project continues to escalate. In June of this year, hundreds of Chinatown residents, advocacy groups, and elected officials rallied to protest, demanding to halt the construction of the large prison and pursue alternative solutions.
The remarks from Sliwa and Cuomo have once again brought the policy debate surrounding Rikers Island prison and community jails to the forefront of the New York City mayoral race, making it one of the most talked-about issues in the campaign.