Sen. Eric Adams, Council Member Letitia James and Downtown Brooklyn’s largest NYCHA tenant groups have joined the lawsuit to stop the illegal expansion and re-opening of the Brooklyn House of Detention, as a growing coalition of elected officials, community groups and advocates for more responsible government prepares for a rally and their day in court next month.
According to the suit first filed last month by Comptroller William C. Thompson and Council Member David Yassky, the New York City government secretively and illegally re-populated and planned to massively expand its jail in Downtown Brooklyn despite deep concerns that the project is a waste of taxpayer money. The elected officials are also concerned that construction of the new $440 million facility on Atlantic Avenue, and another $500 million jail in the Bronx would signal a change in corrections policy, favoring incarceration over proven rehabilitation programs for inmates.
The City has repeatedly declared its intention to nearly double the size of its closed Brooklyn House of Detention on Atlantic Avenue, yet has not informed or engaged the public about the re-opening of the expansion project, nor has it followed any of the state or city laws which compel it to conduct a detailed analysis to determine environmental and community impacts. Meanwhile, the City has re-opened the jail and budgeted more than $1 billion for new jail construction throughout the City – already entering into contract to spend more than $30 million on architects – all during one of the worst financial crises in New York’s history.
“I joined this lawsuit out of an obligation to all stakeholders involved, specifically the many voices within the community that oppose the expansion of the Brooklyn House of Detention – they should be heard and respected,” said Council Member Letitia James. “It defies logic to spend millions of dollars on this expansion when budget cuts are taking place in New York City, as well as new taxes implemented across the State. I strongly support shifting the focus to rehabilitation and funding of re-entry programs for the formerly incarcerated.”
“The Bloomberg administration’s plan to spend almost a half billion dollars of taxpayer money to expand and re-open the Brooklyn House Of Detention is fiscally unsound, threatens the robust revitalization of Downtown Brooklyn, and disregards the wishes of the local community,” said state Senator Eric Adams. “Further, the Mayor is circumventing the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Process, and this is unacceptable public policy. Our city faces a harrowing economic situation, and we would profit by selling the Brooklyn site and moving the expansion plan to the existing facilities on Rikers Island. The Mayor seeks re-election to a third term by trumpeting his management skills. This scheme is a poor addition to his resume.
“Our community needs affordable housing, schools and parks—not a bigger jail. The city plans to close community centers because they say there is no money to keep them open, but they managed to find hundreds of millions of dollars to enhance a jail for criminals,” said Charlene Nimmons, president of the NYCHA Wyckoff Gardens Resident Association. “The City needs to be fixing its own dilapidated apartments first, not building fancy new jails. What kind of message is being sent to our children when the City opts to have a massive jail in our neighborhood rather than community centers and better housing?”
“At a moment of financial crisis, this City is purposely leaving the public out of a decision to build a jail we don’t need at a time that we can’t afford it,” said Comptroller Thompson. “We are confident that the courts will recognize this unacceptable breach of the public trust, and move to prevent this $440 million-boondoggle from moving forward.”
“If the City thinks that this project is such a good idea, then why don’t they bring it before the public?” said Council Member Yassky. “Every step of the way, this project has been hidden from public review, while real questions remain about our ability to afford it, its necessity, and its potentially damaging effect on our ability to rehabilitate prisoners in New York City.”
“Commissioner Horn’s continuing refusal to take heed of the community’s input motivates more and more people to make their voices heard through this suit. My clients made an earnest and reasonable proposal to settle this matter with verifiable community protections and input, which is any way required by law. Commissioner Horn responded by walking out of settlement discussions apparently to ’send a message’ that he will not budge. The community is sending a message back.”
Coalition member Stop BHOD also re-launched it’s web site today to better handle a growing volume of supporters and interest in the effort to stop the re-opening and expansion of the House of Detention. A blog (http://stopbhod.org/blog/) was also created to provide updates and a forum for discussion on corrections department and budget policy, and the developing court battle.
The Brooklyn House of Detention was closed in 2003 because of a declining prison population, sizable capacity available for prisoners at Rikers Island, and in order to save money on the costs of running an extra jail. Soon after, however, the Bloomberg administration announced plans to build a towering new structure atop the exiting jail, nearly doubling its size and adding 700 new beds. Comptroller Thompson, Council Members Yassky and James, Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Adams, Senator-elect Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman have all questioned the plan and the City’s procedure in the past, and have called for the City to scuttle the project for economic reasons.
Other plaintiffs in the suit include the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association, the Atlantic Avenue LDC, the Cobble Hill Association, Boerum Hill Association, Brooklyn Vision and Stop BHOD.
The coalition will hold a rally at 9 AM, Tuesday, January 6th outside the State Supreme Court building in Cadman Plaza Park. Visit the coalition’s web site at www.stopbhod.org to sign up for updates.
