A new NYC commission is charged with making sure Rikers is closed by 2027

Two weeks after a federal monitor dropped a scathing report on worsening conditions at the Rikers Island jail facility, the New York City Council speaker has revived a commission to help make sure the troubled jailed facility is shut down by August 2027.

Speaker Adrienne Adams said Monday she reappointed the Independent Rikers Commission to get the plan to close Rikers “back on course.”

“It is clear that Rikers is not serving New Yorkers and continues to undermine public safety in our city,” she said.

The revived commission will be chaired by former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman and will work with new members from the community, criminal justice system and government to lay out a refreshed blueprint to help ensure the closure of Rikers.

Judge Lippman spoke with WNYC's Tiffany Hanssen about the path forward on closing Rikers.