AMNY reported on last Tuesday’s City Council Criminal Justice hearing, which focused on the treatment of women at Rikers last Tuesday.

“There are roughly 300 women and gender-expansive people at Rosie’s. We know that this population often has unique needs,” pointed out City Criminal Justice Committee Chair Carlina Rivera. “The overwhelming majority are mothers and primary caretakers for their children. Many are survivors of domestic violence, or they have mental illnesses.”

The article noted the testimony of nine criminal justice reform advocates who provided testimony seeking to move the population off of Rikers Island entirely and instead locate them at the currently-vacant Lincoln Correctional Facility in the Harlem section of Manhattan.

“Gender-responsive investments in community resources will help to prevent systems involvement. That includes mental health treatment, affordable and supportive housing for mothers and their children, and assistance for domestic and sexual violence survivors.” Find the written testimony here.