Rikers Island is a 413-acre (167.14-hectare) prison island in the East River in the Bronx that contains New York City's largest jail.
The island and jail complex in 2004
Aerial photo of Rikers Island, photographed from the North. LaGuardia Airport and its 4/22 runway stretch is visible, 250 feet (76 meters) from the island. Shea Stadium can be seen across Flushing Bay.
A prison island is an island housing a prison. Islands have often been used as sites of prisons throughout history due to their natural isolation preventing escape.
Aerial view of Alcatraz, probably the most famous island prison
The deposed emperor Napoleon on Saint Helena; he spent the last 6 years of his life as a prisoner there.