Mayor Mamdani Opens $241 Million Hospital Ward for Inmates as Part of Rikers Island Closure Plan
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced the opening of a new $241 million hospital unit at Bellevue Hospital designed specifically for city inmates. This facility, which includes 104 beds, is part of a broader initiative to close the Rikers Island jail complex. The new unit will provide specialized medical care in fields such as oncology, cardiology, and neurology, and is equipped with therapeutic settings including a basketball court and library. This development is the first of three planned 'outposted therapeutic housing units' aimed at addressing the complex medical needs of inmates, many of whom suffer from serious mental illnesses. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards the eventual closure of Rikers Island, a facility long criticized for its conditions. 
