a high fidelity rendering of the detention center.

New Borough-Based Jails in Construction

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    The City has made a commitment to close the jails on Rikers Island and will replace them with a system of smaller, more humane borough-based jails. The construction of these four jails, located in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, is ongoing.

What are the borough-based jails?

The borough-based jails plan is based on three main principles:

  • Our jail system can be much smaller with thousands fewer people in jail
  • Our jails can be safer with modern, well-designed facilities that promote dignity for those who are held, visit, and work there
  • The justice system will be fairer, changing the culture inside the jails, fostering community connections, and providing greater access to services

Smaller

Jail capacity in New York City is being dramatically reduced. The new facilities will have a total of 4160 beds across facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Currently, the City’s jail system has 11,300 beds.

Safer

The new facilities will be the model for direct supervision housing. Each housing unit will be equipped with ample programming, support services, and medical spaces. Every jail cell will have direct access to natural light and the residential-style finishings and furniture will be comfortable and humane.

Fairer

The jails will be located within the boroughs, increasing access to communities and courts, while allowing people to maintain connections to families and service providers.


Public Meetings


Upcoming Meetings

Manhattan BBJ Construction Kick-off Meeting

  • Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
  • Time: 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM
  • Location: *Virtual - Registration required. See flyer's linked below*
  • Flyers: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
  • About the event: Representatives from the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), Department of Correction (DOC), and the Borough Based Jail Project’s Design-Build Team will present the construction methodology, schedule, and address questions from the community. 


Recent Meetings  

Queens MWBE Opportunity Session [IN-PERSON] 

  • Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Location: Queens Borough Hall — 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11424
  • Flyers: English
  • About the event: The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in partnership with the Queens Borough-Based Jail (BBJ) Design-Build Team (Leon DeMatteis Construction Corp., STV, and Crescent Consulting), is hosting an informational Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) outreach session focused on Phase I Design and Phase II Construction opportunities for the Queens BBJ Facility. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from the Design-Build team, learn about upcoming procurement needs, and receive guidance on how certified M/WBE firms along with eligible local businesses can participate in the program.


*To review all past meeting materials, please visit the 'Project Updates' tab, click on the individual borough heading and visit the 'Public Meeting Materials' page.


Brooklyn Site | Queens Site | Bronx Site | Manhattan Site