New York City Council Votes To Close Rikers Island

New York City lawmakers have voted to close the Rikers Island Jail complex, replacing it with smaller borough-based jails by 2026. The plan, supported by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, aims to create safer and more humane facilities. However, there is opposition from locals concerned about neighborhood impacts and potential space issues if crime rates rise. Rikers Island, notorious for its violent conditions, has been a controversial part of NYC since 1935.

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