+10 Points
(1) $100 e-gift card
What if a skyscraper wasn’t just for offices or apartments but for jail cells? That’s the idea behind the new jailscraper New York City is planning to build in Chinatown, costing around $15 billion. The goal is to replace older jails with a modern, taller building that can hold more people. But not everyone is thrilled.
What’s a Jail vs. a Prison?
A jail is for short-term stays, like for people waiting for their trial or serving time for minor offenses.
A prison is for long-term sentences, often for more serious crimes.
The Debate:
Pros:
1. Modern jails might be safer and more humane.
2. Building up (instead of out) saves space in crowded cities.
3. It could replace older, less functional facilities.
Cons:
1. The Chinatown community feels the money could go to schools, housing, or other services.
2. Jailscrapers might increase traffic and noise in the area.
3. Many argue that focusing on jails doesn’t solve deeper issues like poverty or crime prevention.
Your Task:
Although you probably can't stop the Jailscraper project from happening, you might be able to use your voice to give the construction of this building a more positive impact.
Your task is to write a letter to Mayor Eric Adams suggesting ways to make the project less disruptive and more beneficial to the neighborhood. Could the building feature local art or murals to celebrate Chinatown’s culture? Provide shops or a community center on the first floor? Use underground entrances for prisoner transfers? List at least 3 ideas and describe why you think they would positively impact Chinatown and the larger community of New York City.