Hochul, de Blasio: Incarcerated women, trans individuals to be transferred out of Rikers

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the state and city will transfer nearly all women and trans-identified individuals incarcerated on Rikers Island into different facilities.

News 12 Staff

Oct 13, 2021, 6:49 PM

Updated 1,152 days ago

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Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the state and city will transfer nearly all women and trans-identified individuals incarcerated on Rikers Island into different facilities.
Nearly 230 individuals will be moved to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and the Taconic Correctional Facility, both state-run facilities in Westchester County.
"The situation on Rikers Island is grave and complex, and thus requires bold action from all levels of government to deliver change," Hochul said.
This comes after Hochul signed the Less is More Act, which aims to prevent unnecessary detentions at Rikers, as well as an executive order to expand remote hearings for detainees.
"New York City is committed to forging a fairer, more humane justice system," said de Blasio. "I'm proud to work with Gov. Hochul on this initiative, which will provide important relief for the situation on Rikers.”
The incarcerated individuals will be transferred starting the week of Oct. 18.