Log in Subscribe

FOR THE RECORD

Posted 5/17/21

When Mayor de Blasio in 2017 belatedly endorsed the recommendation of a commission headed by Jonathan Lippman, the former Chief Judge of New York State, to close Rikers Island and replace it with new jails in every borough but Staten Island, the suspicion was he did so to ease his path to reelection rather than because he believed the plan was doable.

Best of all, the closing was not supposed to occur until 2026, meaning Mr. de Blasio would be long gone from office by the time any flaws in the plan bobbed to the surface.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in