More than 200 women and transgender individuals will be transferred out of Rikers amid staffing crisis

More than 200 women and transgender individuals will be temporarily transferred out of the Rikers Island jail complex to "safer, more secure" detention facilities, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. The decision comes as advocates and lawmakers have reported severe public health and safety concerns at the facility, which has been grappling with a staffing shortage. 

Hochul said the transfer, which encompasses "nearly all" women and transgender individuals incarcerated on the island, "will help ease staffing concerns, capacity constraints, and improve safety for many until the City can implement a permanent solution that will bring justice to Rikers." 

Approximately 230 people will be transferred to two facilities in Westchester County, the governor's office said in a press release. The transfers, which will begin on October 18, will occur twice a week and will begin by bringing 10-20 people at a time. Inmates currently receiving hormone replacement therapy at Rikers will be able to access the same treatment at the Westchester facilities, the statement said.