Policy Deep Dives: Where Do NYC Mayoral Candidates Stand on Closing Rikers Island—and What Alternatives Are on the Table?
A Neutral Analysis of Zohran Mamdani, Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa's Positions on NYC's Infamous Jail Complex
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Rikers Island, New York City’s notorious jail complex located on a 400-acre island in the East River, has a long history marred by violence, overcrowding, and human rights abuses. Opened in 1932 as a facility for short-term detention, it has grown into a sprawling network of jails that primarily houses pretrial detainees, many of whom are unable to afford bail. Current conditions remain dire, with reports of dysfunction, violence, and neglect persisting despite reform efforts. In 2025, the jail population has surpassed 7,000, far exceeding the target of under 5,000 needed for closure, contributing to unsafe environments for both detainees and staff. Nine people have died in Department of Correction custody this year alone, highlighting ongoing humanitarian crises.
Politically, the push to close Rikers gained momentum in 2019 when the New York City Council voted to shutter the facility by 2027, approving an $8.7 billion plan to replace it with four smaller, borough-based jails in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. This commitment was enshrined in law, mandating closure by August 31, 2027. However, progress has stalled due to delays in construction, rising incarceration rates post-pandemic, and political resistance. Recent developments include a federal judge assuming control of Rikers in May 2025 amid lawsuits over unconstitutional conditions, marking a shift to external oversight. An independent commission’s March 2025 report acknowledged the 2027 deadline is unattainable, proposing a “blueprint” for closure that emphasizes decarceration and alternative facilities. Major incidents, such as a spike in deaths and violence, have fueled public discourse, with advocates arguing that closure is essential for justice reform.
Detailing Each Candidate’s Position
In the 2025 NYC mayoral race, candidates’ stances on Rikers reflect broader ideologies on criminal justice, from progressive decarceration to conservative law-and-order approaches.
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist Assemblymember, strongly supports closing Rikers without building replacements, emphasizing decarceration to address mass incarceration. He has visited Rikers multiple times, highlighting deaths and calling for immediate releases, stating in a 2023 X post: “19 NYers lost their lives at Rikers just last year. These proposals are a death sentence.” Mamdani questions the “purpose” of prisons, suggesting a potential release of thousands if no alternatives are built, as per analyses of his positions. His platform includes ending ICE cooperation and establishing a Department of Community Safety.
Eric Adams, the incumbent mayor, has expressed skepticism about the 2027 timeline, arguing Rikers can be “fixed” rather than closed hastily. In May 2025, he suggested abandoning the borough-based plan, stating: “I believe Rikers Island can be fixed and remain open.” Adams supports reforms like dedicating one new jail for mental health needs and has visited Rikers for baptisms and dialogues, posting on X: “Where they are is not who they are.” He endorses the commission’s view that closure by 2027 is unrealistic.
Andrew Cuomo, former governor and 2025 candidate, has historically advocated for Rikers’ closure, tweeting in 2017: “We must end the nightmare that is Rikers Island.” In his 2025 campaign, he pledges to relocate mentally ill individuals from Rikers to supportive housing, proposing $2.6 billion in funding over five years. Cuomo supported Raise the Age legislation in 2018, prohibiting youth from Rikers. His stance focuses on reform through mental health investments rather than immediate closure.
Curtis Sliwa, Republican candidate and Guardian Angels founder, opposes closure, advocating for Rikers’ renovation and increased staffing. In 2021, he rallied against shutdown plans and called for state control. Sliwa proposes housing migrants on Rikers and adding 2,000 officers, stating in a 2025 X post: “I’m the only one running who will actually make this city safe… Cuomo wants repeat offenders back on the streets and to shut down Rikers.” His platform emphasizes order over replacement.
Discussing Alternative Proposals
Alternatives to Rikers span decarceration, reform, and infrastructure. Decarceration strategies include bail reform to reduce pretrial detention, diversion programs for nonviolent offenses, and investments in mental health and addiction services to prevent incarceration. Programs like Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) provide community-based support, with calls for $8.9 million restoration in funding. Jail reform measures focus on improving existing facilities through staffing increases, oversight enhancements, and ending practices like solitary confinement. Proposals for new borough-based jails aim for humane, smaller facilities but face challenges: projected costs exceed $10 billion, community opposition in neighborhoods like Chinatown, and political feasibility amid delays. Some suggest rebuilding Rikers itself as a cost-effective alternative.
Analyzing the Public Safety Politics
Candidates frame Rikers within the tension between public safety and reform. Adams and Sliwa prioritize safety, arguing closure without alternatives risks chaos, appealing to corrections officers and victims’ groups who fear releases. Mamdani and Cuomo emphasize reform, with Mamdani’s abolitionist leanings resonating with civil rights organizations like the Katal Center, while Cuomo’s mental health focus attracts moderates. Neighborhood coalitions oppose new jails, viewing them as perpetuating incarceration in communities of color.
These positions align with citywide trends: Major crimes declined in 2025, with shootings at record lows and homicides down 17% mid-year. State shifts, like bail reforms, have reduced jail populations modestly, but mayoral powers—over budgets and corrections—limit unilateral action. Progressive stances risk alienating law enforcement constituencies, while conservative ones may alienate reform advocates.
Closing with Implications for Voters
The candidates’ positions could profoundly shape NYC’s criminal justice landscape. A Mamdani win might accelerate decarceration, potentially reducing the jail population below 3,300 through releases and services, fostering a decade of progressive reform but risking backlash if perceived as soft on crime. Adams or Sliwa prevailing could delay closure, prioritizing safety enhancements at Rikers, appealing to public safety concerns amid falling crime but prolonging humanitarian issues. Cuomo’s hybrid approach might bridge divides via mental health investments, influencing state-city dynamics.
Politically, embracing closure offers opportunities for reform coalitions but risks from implementation failures; opposing it courts unions but alienates progressives. Voters must weigh these against broader trends like declining violence, deciding if NYC prioritizes rehabilitation or containment.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NYC 2025 mayoral race, and follow KIRU (@highaski) on X for continued coverage.
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