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Jail population could cut in half by 2026

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It’s all about putting less people in jail, especially with the pending closure of Rikers Island. And that might actually become a reality as city officials predict jail population in New York City will drop to 3,300 by 2026.

“Just a few years ago, the Lippman Commission’s projection of a 5,000 average daily population was considered by many to be overly optimistic,” council Speaker Corey Johnson said, in a release. “To now reach 3,300 is an extraordinary achievement, and the culmination of years of hard work to move away from the failed policies of mass incarceration.”

Right now, city jails hold about 7,000 people on an average day. But even that is significantly less than the 22,000 prisoners in the jail system in 1991, according to a release.

The population reduction comes from a number of programs spearheaded by the council and Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to a release, including a supervised release diversion program, which is expected to help reduce the number of people sitting in  jail while they await trial.

 

Raphael Lassauze named new What’s On editor

Raphael Lassauze officially joins the newsroom of The Riverdale Press this week, not only covering arts and culture for the paper, but stepping in as the new editor of the What’s On coming events section.

Lassauze attended Brooklyn College, majoring in English and studying comparative literature. There she was active in the school’s writing clubs. She even won an award for her poetry work.

Lassauze replaces longtime What’s On editor Tiffany Moustakas, who last month accepted a position on the digital media team of advertising trade publication Adweek, in its Manhattan offices.

Lassauze can be reached at (718) 543-6065, Ext. 377, or by email at rlassauze@riverdalepress.com.

Have something to submit to What’s On? Send it directly to our information collection email account at whatson@riverdalepress.com.

Please note that all submissions should be in at least seven days ahead of an event, and publication is not guaranteed.

Rikers Island, Michael Hinman, Corey Johnson, Bill de Blasio, Raphael Lassauze, Brooklyn College, Tiffany Moustakas, Adweek,

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