This week we asked readers their thoughts on the newly passed Raised the Age measure that separates 16- and 17-year-old inmates from the adults and incarcerates them in detention centers instead of on Rikers Island, which is slated to close in 2027.

From what I understand they’ve had 16- and 17-year-olds on Rikers Island for years without seeing a judge or anything. I myself had a family member who was in Rikers Island for smoking weed and he was there for years… for only a joint. They have to be housed somewhere. Any neighborhood you take them you’re going to have demonstrations. But they are human beings and members of society and we as a village should be more compassionate and understanding. It could be our children. As parents, sometimes we don’t know what our kids are out there doing, no matter how good we try to train them. I’m glad they’re doing something.
Lavern Williams
Parkchester

You have to protect the community from dangerous people. Sometimes people make mistakes and sometimes people get jammed up even though they’re presumed innocent, but are herded down that same road. It should be a one stop shop. The jail should be in the courthouse; put it right by Yankee Stadium.
Jason Winchester
Soundview 

 

I feel that putting a jail in the outer boroughs will bring more crime to the neighborhoods. And I don’t think it’s safe to put a jail in Mott Haven, near the projects. I don’t think it’s a good look for the Bronx. I don’t believe a jail should be in the middle of the Bronx. I think the jail should stay across the water and away from civilization and it shouldn’t be placed where people can walk past the jail. It’s dangerous and I don’t think adolescents should be anywhere next to grown men.
Alyshia Watson
Belmont

I feel that’s a good idea because when you put these teenagers with adults, you sometimes get a bad outcome when they come out. They’re angrier because they’ve been abused. Society doesn’t see that these kids make mistakes and are entitled to make mistakes and learn lessons from it. They shouldn’t be in there with men who may be in there for murder or rape. These kids need to learn skills. I don’t think they should close Rikers Island. It’s there and serves its purpose. If they invest and improve the problems there, they can fix it.
Nancy Rodriguez
Norwood

My thoughts are about all of the jobs on Rikers Island. What’s going to happen to all of the guards if they close it down? But otherwise, I think it’s a good plan, I don’t think teens should be held in the same jail as men.
Anita Chapman,
Van Cortlandt Village