Jay Z Applauds Promise To Close Rikers Island

(AllHipHop News) Jay Z may love New York, but there is one infamous landmark he will be happy to see go.

Yesterday (March 31), New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio declared that Rikers Island would be closing permanently.

The notorious prison facility is the central subject surrounding Jay’s new six-part documentary “TIME: The Kalief Browder Story” airing on Spike TV.

Jay took to social media to make a rare post, reflecting on the news and the impact of his documentary, which is also being screened around the country.

“His story will save lives . You guys watching and your compassion made this happen. Thank you,” Jay Z tweeted.

Kalief is a prophet. His story will save lives . You guys watching and your compassion made this happen. Thank you . pic.twitter.com/Vvnt9tDBeR

— Mr. Carter (@sc) March 31, 2017

Kalief Browder was just 16-years-old when he was arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack. He ended up confined on Rikers Island for three years, because he couldn’t make the $10,000 bail.

Jay Z Reveals Story About The Time He Met Kalief Browder

Tragically, in June of 2015, just two years after his release, with no charges ever filed, Kalief Browder committed suicide due to ongoing depression from serving time on Rikers Island.

In a statement, Mayor DeBlasio said the closing of Rikers Island was the beginning of the end of mass incarceration in New York.

“It will take many years. It will take many tough decisions. But it will happen,” the Mayor said in a statement. “The goal is to get our overall jail population down to 5,000 people. We believe that can be achieved in the next 10 years. The mass incarceration era did not begin in New York City but it’s going to end here.”