New York Is Building The Worlds Tallest Jail

As the New York prison guard strike drags on and we receive more news about inmates dying in various prisons across the Empire State, people are again asking questions about the effort to build the world's tallest jail in the middle of New York State's largest city.

It's been known for years that New York needs to modernize its correctional services and facilities; this effort seeks to build a more modern facility to house people who have broken the law.

Pejoratively dubbed the Jailscraper, the nearly $4 billion structure will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, first-floor retail, and public space, and stand almost 300 feet tall.

According to NY1 News, the new jail is part of a project that New York is engaging in to replace the reputed Rikers Island. While Rikers was supposed to close in 2027, this project isn't slated to be completed until 2032. It was initially planned to be completed sooner, but residents in Manhattan's Chinatown have been protesting the development.

City officials are moving forward with the jail despite those protests. This new jail isn't the only one planned for New York City; others are planned for other areas.

Erie County was also planning to build a new jail in downtown Buffalo, but the massive price tag had city and county officials decide that was more than could be afforded to be spent. According to a report from the Buffalo News, the new Buffalo jail would cost upwards of $700 million.

With only $2.5 million set aside to start the new Buffalo / Erie County combined jail, officials backed away from that plan and are seeking other ideas.