Mayor de Blasio Announces “Smaller, Safer, Fairer: A Roadmap to Closing Rikers Island”

This week, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a new Roadmap detailing his administration’s plan to close Rikers Island. Titled “Smaller, Safer, Fairer: A Roadmap to Closing Rikers Island,” the plans lays out 18 steps for making the closure of the troubled facility a reality. Included in the steps are a $30 million investment to accelerate the reduction of the city’s prison population, and the renovation and development of off-island facilities. Words of support from JoAnne Page, Fortune Society’s President and CEO, are included in the official press release:

For 50 years, Fortune has worked, through advocacy and services, to reduce the number of people incarcerated, to improve conditions of confinement, and to help people transition successfully from incarceration. We strongly support the Roadmap to Close Rikers Island, which commits to investment and progress in all three areas. In addition, we commend the Mayor and his team for including formerly incarcerated individuals in leadership in this effort, including Julio Medina and our own Stanley Richards.

Additionally, Fortune Executive Vice President Stanley Richards will play a key role in implementing the Roadmap’s development, as co-chair of its Working Group on Design. Learn more on the official website of the City of New York.