New Report Calls for Immediate Action to Close Rikers Island and Expand Alternatives to Incarceration

New York, NY - A new report published today highlights New York City's urgent need to accelerate efforts to close Rikers Island and expand the use of alternatives to incarceration (ATIs) to effectively address the root causes of New Yorkers' justice involvement.

New York City is at a critical juncture: With 2019 legislation mandating the closure of Rikers by 2027, the clock is ticking amid growing recognition that the island's continued operation is both morally and financially unsustainable. For nearly a century, Rikers has been used to warehouse millions of New Yorkers facing challenges, including mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty, with a disproportionate impact on Black and brown New Yorkers. The vast majority of those incarcerated at Rikers are legally innocent, held pretrial due to their inability to afford bail, and they all have endured deplorable conditions in an environment deemed by a federal monitor to be unsafe and brutally violent.

Clearly, there is an urgent need for change, and this report outlines how expanding ATIs will not only help in ensuring timely closure of the jail but also how they are integral to fostering deeper systemic transformation.

The report makes it plain to see the many positive outcomes that ATIs have already achieved for New Yorkers across the five boroughs, citing compelling statistics from specific programs as well as testimonials from participants who have successfully completed programming, reintegrated into society, and contributed to our shared communities.

Sr. Director of NYS Policy at the Legal Action Center and report co-author Megan French-Marcelin states, "ATIs are not just an alternative to incarceration, they are an essential tool for promoting public safety, reducing recidivism, and building a stronger, more equitable City for all. We believe that New York can and should lead the way in creating a justice system that prioritizes people over punishment."

"The data in this report is clear: Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Programs enhance public safety by providing the kinds of supports that keep people from returning to jail, prison, and homeless shelters," says Rob DeLeon, Deputy CEO of The Fortune Society. "Just as important are the stories shared by ATI participants in this report. Their stories reveal what numbers alone cannot: ATI programs offered by culturally competent staff can truly help people transform their lives. As former Fortune participant and now staff member Corinthian says, 'It's not just about staying out of trouble. It's about building a life you-and your community-can be proud of.' With sufficient resources and stakeholder support, our ecosystem of ATI programs can truly help reduce the numbers of people detained pre-trial on Rikers Island-safely, cost-effectively, and humanely. In doing so, we can set more people up for long-term wellbeing and success."

"When we think about fostering a holistic approach to public safety, supporting Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) is an intrinsic part of that," says Council Member Sandy Nurse, Chair of the New York City Council's Criminal Justice Committee. "As we approach the 2027 mandated deadline to close Rikers, there is a real need to invest in solutions that are not just proven to work, but that also take into account people's humanity. We want people to get off on the right foot, and I'm relieved to see this report confirm the effectiveness of ATIs."

"The data is clear-alternatives to incarceration provide individuals with the support they need to move forward while enhancing public safety. Expanding these programs is a practical and effective approach to reducing jail populations and ensuring that people have access to critical resources. At EAC Network, we have long provided ATI services that equip participants with the tools to succeed, strengthening families and communities while reducing reliance on incarceration. As New York City moves toward closing Rikers Island, scaling these proven solutions is the right path forward to build a more effective and equitable justice system that truly invests in people and public safety," says Tania Peterson Chandler, COO at EAC Network.

"As one of New York's first community-based alternative-to-incarceration programs, the Center for Community Alternatives has proven that public safety is best achieved through evidence-based reentry services and community supports-not perpetual punishment," says David Condliffe, Executive Director of the Center for Community Alternatives. "For nearly 100 years, Rikers Island has warehoused predominantly working class and poor Black and brown New Yorkers under inhumane conditions, while failing to address root causes like poverty, mental illness, and substance use. Scaling up alternatives to incarceration is essential to accelerating the closure of Rikers, addressing systemic racial disparities, and improving public safety for all New Yorkers. Our four decades of experience show that when people have access to housing, employment, and individualized support through reentry programs and alternatives to incarceration, they not only stay out of jail and prison but also thrive and contribute to their families and communities."

"This report reaffirms what we've known for years: Fostering public safety requires a focus on strengthening communities and expanding evidence-based alternatives to incarceration rather than more jailing," says Reverend Wendy Calderón-Payne, Executive Director of Urban Youth Alliance (BronxConnect). "Transformation happens when we invest in opportunity-including mental health services, stable housing, employment, counseling, and mentorship. The evidence is irrefutable: These are the critical resources that drive meaningful change. The report not only underscores the urgent need to bring these comprehensive resources to scale across the city, but it also presents practical and targeted solutions to build more resilient, safer communities. Multiple independent reports have shown the harm that comes from continuing with business as usual when it comes to Rikers. It is not a solution; it is a failure."

"Alternatives to Incarceration are an essential tool to reducing incarceration and, ultimately, closing Rikers Island. But more importantly, they are essential to a safe and thriving city. As we see in our Justice Home project, by providing a structured, supportive alternative to jail, we provide women with the care they need to be successful for themselves, their families, their communities, and our city," says Meg Egan, CEO of Women's Prison Association.

"This report shows what we've known for decades: Alternatives to incarceration (ATIs) cost less and are more effective than jail and prison at creating true public safety. ATIs like CASES Nathaniel ACT and Nathaniel Community Success connect people to the support they need to address the root causes of their challenges. Over half of individuals on Rikers have a mental illness, and 20% have a serious mental illness. We need to rapidly expand access to ATIs to provide people the mental health care they need instead of a destabilizing jail stay," says Jonathan McLean, President & CEO of CASES.

"This important report combines the stories of real people with irrefutable data to make the case that there are far more effective ways to address mental illness, substance use disorders, poverty, and housing and job instability than the very expensive, harmful warehousing of people of color in city jails. By expanding investments in community-based services and solutions, we achieve outcomes that make us all safer and support all New Yorkers to thrive. This report is a powerful reminder of our moral and financial imperatives and a true call to action," says Jonathan Monsalve, President and CEO of Osborne Association.

"Rikers' inhumane treatment of the people in their care has been a malignant stain on New York's character for far too long. The report is clear: Public safety relies on fostering community and building equitable access for social and economic opportunity. It's evident from this report that we need to invest in alternative, evidenced-based solutions to incarceration, instead of continuing to pour money into an institution that persistently disregards the value of human life. Committing to workforce development not only benefits our economy, but it also offers justice-impacted people an alternative path to providing for themselves and their families. As we push for the closing of Rikers, it is critical that we uplift and amplify the promising results of ATIs and advocate for their implementation on a large scale," says Sam Schaeffer, CEO of Center for Employment Opportunities.

More About the Report and the Coalition Behind It:
This report is the culmination of extensive research by the NYC ATI/Reentry Coalition into the ongoing issues surrounding Rikers Island and the potential of ATIs in New York City. It includes data-driven analysis, policy recommendations, and firsthand accounts from individuals who have participated in ATI programs. The NYC ATI/Reentry Coalition is composed of 11 provider and advocacy organizations: Legal Action Center, BronxConnect, CASES, Center for Community Alternatives, Center for Employment Opportunities, College and Community Fellowship, EAC Network, The Fortune Society, Greenburger Center for Social and Criminal Justice, Osborne Association, and the Women's Prison Association.

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Media Contact:

Arianne Keegan
Director of Communications, Legal Action Center
communications@lac.org
(212) 243-1313

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