The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has collaborated with Rikers Island jail complex in New York City to create a more kid-friendly space for the children and grandchildren of female prisoners. The newly designed preschool play and learning room opened just ahead of Mother’s Day for inmates like Nadine Leach, who expressed the significance of the holiday. The room is filled with interactive displays, toys, coloring books, and sound machines, providing a creative and engaging environment for the children to play and learn in while visiting their incarcerated family members.
For families visiting the facility, the journey involves taking a bus, undergoing security and drug screenings, and passing through multiple layers of razor wire. Despite the challenging environment of Rikers Island, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan has successfully brought elements of its exhibitions to the jail complex, focusing on teaching preschool skills such as communication, sharing, literacy, and executive function. The goal is to create a space where mothers can interact with their children in a positive and nurturing environment, maintaining their bond even during incarceration.
The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, emphasized the importance of fostering connections between incarcerated mothers and their children. The challenging circumstances of incarceration can take a toll on both the mothers and the children, making it crucial to provide opportunities for meaningful interactions during visits. Plans are in place to expand child-friendly exhibits to the men’s jail facilities at Rikers Island over the next year, with approved inmates also having the chance to visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan twice a month as part of the program.
Rikers Island, known for its poor conditions and controversial history, is scheduled to be closed in 2026, with smaller neighborhood facilities set to replace it. Despite the challenges faced by those incarcerated at Rikers, initiatives like the collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan aim to humanize the experience for inmates and their families. The redesign of the visitation hub at the women’s jail, the Rose M. Singer Center, is just one step in improving conditions and providing a more positive environment for families visiting their loved ones behind bars.
State officials have already moved hundreds of women from Rikers Island to state facilities as part of efforts to enhance safety and well-being. The push for reforms and improvements within the criminal justice system reflects a broader shift towards rehabilitation and support for inmates and their families. As the children of incarcerated individuals benefit from engaging and educational spaces like the newly designed playroom at Rikers Island, the hope is to provide a sense of normalcy and connection during an otherwise challenging and isolating time.
