A peek inside QDC, Kew Gardens’ ‘horrible,’ old jail | Queens Daily Eagle

There's already a jail behind the Queens Criminal Courthouse, a fact that prompts community members to question why the city wants to build a colossal new facility on the site as part of its plan to close Rikers Island.

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice says there’s good reason to tear down the mostly dormant complex.

“There are pretty horrible conditions,” said MOCJ Deputy Director Dana Kaplan in April. “It wouldn’t be approved if we were to seek certification.”  Continue reading.