Authorities revamp fake jail on public housing playground

New York City residents think that children in public housing should not be put in jail even if it’s a faux hoosegow on a playground.

Responding to numerous complaints from residents, New York City’s public housing authority was forced to make changes to the portion of a playground jungle gym that was made to resemble a jail. Workers were seen removing the word “jail” and look-alike bars from the jungle gym structure at the Tompkins Houses jungle gym in Brooklyn. Tompkins Houses resident Natasha Godley, the mother of a six-year-old boy, said: “It was like promoting kids to go to jail." The faux jail has stood on the playground since it was built in 2004, and no has complained until now, said Sheila Stainback, housing authority spokeswoman. She explained it was part of the original design. According to Stainback, the agency would like to replace the portion of the playground that has that particular equipment and they’re looking into ordering new playground equipment. She said changes were also being made to another fake jail on housing authority grounds, but declined to identify its location.