Monday saw New York City Council leaders and mental health champions gather at City Hall to celebrate a $50 million boost for public safety and mental health programming. They also pressed Mayor Eric Adams to speed up the launch of these initiatives and make shutting down Rikers Island a priority.
Speaker Adams Urges Quick Action on Rikers and Mental Health Expansion
As part of the newly passed fiscal year 2026 budget, the funds will expand access to mental health services and preventative programs, with the intent of addressing root causes of crime and easing citywide incarceration rates.
“The council is proud to have secured over $50 million in meaningful investments into mental health care programs and essential safety solutions in this year’s city budget that our communities have long needed,” said Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “These investments are critical to our goals of improving mental health issues in our city, safely reducing the inflated jail population, and, ultimately, closing Rikers for good.”
Demands Increase for Rikers’ Closure
Rikers Island stands as a notorious symbol of systemic issues, with nine deaths among detainees already recorded in 2025, and a federal judge in May declared it was necessary to place the site under receivership, citing “ongoing violations of constitutional rights.”
The June deaths of two inmates within just 78 minutes further intensified concerns about Rikers. According to City Council officials, the jail has become a default mental health facility, as over half its inmates face mental health diagnoses.
“For too long, the city’s failure to effectively address the mental health crisis and resistance to advancing proven solutions has allowed Rikers to become a de facto mental health facility,” said Speaker Adams. “The mayoral administration must take immediate action.”
Mental Health Strategies Key to Changing the Jail System
This budget includes support for crisis teams, mental health drop-in centers, and efforts aimed at reducing repeat offenses by shifting eligible individuals toward treatment and support instead of incarceration.
“True rehabilitation requires equipping our city with the tools to deliver life-saving care, reduce recidivism, and expand supportive housing for those most in need,” said Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Mental Health Committee.
Mayor Adams’ administration defended its record, describing the latest spending plan as the “Best Budget Ever,” and emphasized major investments in shelters, substance abuse care, psychiatric services, and youth violence reduction.
Nevertheless, City Council leaders caution there is a limited window to ensure these reforms move beyond paper into real-world effects.
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