Rikers Island Inmates Face Increasing Mental Health Demands, Experts Say New Jails Won't Solve Problem
A staggering 60% of nearly 7,000 inmates at Rikers Island required mental health services in October, up from 42% five years ago, according to a new report. This surge in demand highlights the need for alternative treatment programs for New Yorkers accused of crimes, according to advocates.
The rising number of inmates with serious mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is particularly concerning. In October, 22% of Rikers inmates had a serious mental illness, up from 17% five years ago. Meanwhile, one in four inmates had an opioid use disorder, while 30% struggled with alcoholism.
To address this crisis, the report recommends expanding access to special treatment courts, more robust reentry planning, and additional secure hospital beds for people with mental health conditions. The experts also call for improved services for those with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues.
The recommendations align with those made by the Independent Rikers Commission, which aims to advise the city on the closure of Rikers Island. As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office in January, he will be under pressure to make progress toward closing Rikers by the 2027 deadline.
The four new jails being built to replace Rikers are not expected to be completed until years after the planned closure date. Meanwhile, the capacity of special treatment courts remains limited, with only 360 participants enrolled in 2023 – a tiny fraction of the cases that were arraigned.
For some, like Tracy Barber, who spent 10 months at Rikers struggling with mental health issues, alternative programs can be a lifeline. Barber credits the Manhattan Mental Health Court with connecting her with a therapist, outpatient rehab, and a peer counselor, enabling her to hold down a job and manage her conditions without substances.
However, many advocates believe that systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of the crisis. A bill pending in the state Legislature, known as the Treatment Court Expansion Act, would allow people with broader ranges of charges and behavioral health needs to be eligible for diversion programs – an idea endorsed by the report.
As the city moves forward with plans to close Rikers Island, experts warn that more than just new jails are needed. A comprehensive approach that addresses the complex needs of New Yorkers struggling with mental health issues is essential to preventing another crisis like the one at Rikers.
A staggering 60% of nearly 7,000 inmates at Rikers Island required mental health services in October, up from 42% five years ago, according to a new report. This surge in demand highlights the need for alternative treatment programs for New Yorkers accused of crimes, according to advocates.
The rising number of inmates with serious mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is particularly concerning. In October, 22% of Rikers inmates had a serious mental illness, up from 17% five years ago. Meanwhile, one in four inmates had an opioid use disorder, while 30% struggled with alcoholism.
To address this crisis, the report recommends expanding access to special treatment courts, more robust reentry planning, and additional secure hospital beds for people with mental health conditions. The experts also call for improved services for those with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues.
The recommendations align with those made by the Independent Rikers Commission, which aims to advise the city on the closure of Rikers Island. As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office in January, he will be under pressure to make progress toward closing Rikers by the 2027 deadline.
The four new jails being built to replace Rikers are not expected to be completed until years after the planned closure date. Meanwhile, the capacity of special treatment courts remains limited, with only 360 participants enrolled in 2023 – a tiny fraction of the cases that were arraigned.
For some, like Tracy Barber, who spent 10 months at Rikers struggling with mental health issues, alternative programs can be a lifeline. Barber credits the Manhattan Mental Health Court with connecting her with a therapist, outpatient rehab, and a peer counselor, enabling her to hold down a job and manage her conditions without substances.
However, many advocates believe that systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of the crisis. A bill pending in the state Legislature, known as the Treatment Court Expansion Act, would allow people with broader ranges of charges and behavioral health needs to be eligible for diversion programs – an idea endorsed by the report.
As the city moves forward with plans to close Rikers Island, experts warn that more than just new jails are needed. A comprehensive approach that addresses the complex needs of New Yorkers struggling with mental health issues is essential to preventing another crisis like the one at Rikers.
the thing is, new jails alone won't fix the problem 
... its not about just building more places for people to be locked up & get some basic treatment. we need a system change 
... more alternative programs that actually address the root causes of mental illness & addiction 
... like Tracy Barber's story shows us, those kinds of connections can make all the difference 
... but its not just about one person or program, its about systemic changes that prioritize community health & support over punishment 
... we need to start addressing the root issues, not just treating symptoms with Band-Aids 
, but we can't just rely on one solution. We need systemic changes and more resources to make sure ppl get the help they need. Its not that hard, right? 
. 60% of those inmates need mental health help, and it's not just a few bad apples – this is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed ASAP 
. We can't keep throwing money at new jails when we need to invest in treatment programs and support systems for our communities 
. Tracy Barber's story is a game-changer – she went from being stuck at Rikers to becoming a success story thanks to the right resources and help 
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It's clear that just building new jails isn't going to solve this problem. We need more than just a place to put people away, we need to address the root causes of these issues.
How can we even expect new jails to solve this problem when it's clear that more needs to be done?
I mean, who wouldn't want to build a bunch of new jails when there's already a functioning system that's not really working? Like, 60% of people in those cells need mental health help... sounds about right for a place where hope and progress go to die 
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Mental health demand on Rikers is through the roof 
. Can't we just take our time and do it right for once? 
. Alternative courts are a start 
but we need more support 
! Seriously though, the stats from Rikers Island are super concerning - 60% of inmates needing mental health services? That's just crazy town, folks! 
I mean, I get it, new jails might be a step in the right direction, but like, what about all those other programs and services that can actually make a difference? 
! Give me a comprehensive approach any day... or at least some decent therapy sessions for all those Rikers inmates 
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it's not just about building new facilities, but about creating systems that support ppl with mental health issues. we need to prioritize compassionate & holistic approaches over just throwing more money at the problem 
it's a start, and hopefully, we'll see some real change soon 
The thing is, building new jails isn't gonna solve the problem 
And what's with the timeline? 2027 is still ages away 
We need to see progress ASAP 