Religious leaders from across the city gathered outside Manhattan’s criminal court to give a spiritual perspective as to why they say Rikers Island needs to be shut down.

They say closing the facility is a “moral issue” and that the “dehumanization” of inmates must end.

Earlier this month, the city's Planning Commission approved a plan that would replace the troubled complex with smaller jails in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. The religious groups are urging the city to keep on its course to shut down Rikers Island.

The de Blasio administration has set a closure date for Rikers for 2026.