New Chair Targets Rikers Closure

Christopher Watler took over as chair of the New York City Board of Correction with a clear mandate: improve safety, enforce accountability, and expand rehabilitation before the city shuts down Rikers Island. Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Watler to lead the independent oversight body. The agency monitors jail conditions, reviews complaints, and holds the Department of Correction to specific standards. Watler stated that no person should leave Rikers Island in a worse condition than when they arrived.

Watler has spent more than 30 years in criminal justice reform. He currently serves as executive vice president of the Center for Employment Opportunities. In that role, he oversees reentry and diversion programs in over 30 cities. Before that, he worked for two decades at the Center for Justice Innovation. There, he developed programs for young people and adults and created eviction prevention initiatives. His background includes growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, to a father from Honduras and a mother from Jamaica.

The appointment arrives as the city prepares to replace the Rikers complex with four new facilities. These jails will be located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The goal is to bring detained individuals closer to their families, courts, and support networks. The current system faces criticism for aging infrastructure and inconsistent care. Many people in city jails are awaiting trial and have not yet been convicted of a crime.

Watler plans to visit city jails to observe conditions directly. He is also consulting with advocates, correctional staff, elected officials, and other board members. The board chair position is voluntary. Watler emphasized the need to change the culture of the jail system. He wants dignity, safety, and rehabilitation to guide daily operations. He noted that community organizations need more support to help people return home successfully.

Part of his strategy involves strengthening alternatives to incarceration. Watler wants people to start preparing for release immediately upon entering custody. This includes helping them obtain identification and access health care. It also involves enrolling them in Medicaid and SNAP. He aims to connect detainees with employment and housing services. Expanding community-based mental health services is another priority. He believes this approach could reduce the number of people who rely on jails for treatment.

The timeline for these changes is fixed. The city aims to close Rikers Island by August 2027. The four borough-based facilities are scheduled to open to replace the island complex. Watler’s leadership will oversee the transition. He will ensure the new sites meet safety and health standards. His team will continue to conduct inspections and monitor compliance.

Watler’s personal history influences his approach to the role. His father helped establish Premier Baptist Church in Brooklyn. His mother earned a doctorate and remained active in the local Caribbean community. She participated in events like the Labor Day parade and Children’s Carnival. These experiences taught Watler the value of community responsibility. He carries that principle into his work overseeing the city’s jail system.

The new leadership structure will focus on immediate operational changes. Watler will prioritize staff safety and detainee well-being. He will push for better access to medical and mental health services. The board will continue to review complaints and identify unsafe conditions. The transition to the four new jails is the central event of this period. The city will move from a single island facility to a distributed model. Watler’s role is to ensure this shift improves outcomes for the people in custody.