Rikers Island, Prison complex on East River island, The Bronx, US.
Rikers Island consists of ten separate detention centers spread over 167 hectares (413 acres), functioning as the main correctional facility for pretrial detainees and short-term inmates in New York City. The complex sits on an island in the East River, accessible only via a single bridge from Queens, which sets it apart from the rest of the city both physically and functionally.
The city acquired the land in 1884 and opened the correctional complex in 1932 following substantial landfill work. Much of the current footprint was built up over decades by inmates themselves, who performed the filling that expanded the site to its present size.
The jail processes tens of thousands of pretrial detainees and short-term inmates each year, shaping the face of New York justice in ways the public rarely sees. At the same time, it functions as one of the country's largest mental health facilities for those in custody, underscoring the dual nature of the institution.
Access to the island is limited to a single bridge from Queens, with tight visiting schedules and identification checks for everyone entering the grounds. Anyone planning to visit should expect lengthy security procedures and restricted movement within the premises once inside.
In 1957, inmates participated in a rescue effort after Northeast Airlines Flight 823 crashed on the grounds. Those who helped in the recovery received reductions in their sentences as recognition for their actions during the emergency.
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