FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY
Yesterday Two People Died At Rikers An Hour Apart, At Least 40 People Have Died in City Jails Since Mayor Adams Took Office
As the Crisis on Rikers Worsens Under Mayor Adams, Oversight Legislation Now Awaits Signature of Gov. Hochul
New York, NY: Last night, news broke that two people incarcerated at Rikers died within an hour of each other. These are the sixth and seventh people to die at Rikers this year, and at least 40 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
Since Mayor Eric Adams took office, the overlapping crises and scandals on Rikers Island have worsened. With violence out of control and the jail population steadily rising, dysfunction continues to reign at the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). As a result, last month, U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain issued a decision to take Rikers Island out of the city’s control and appoint an independent “remediation manager” to address the constitutional violations. This follows years of the court holding the Adams administration in contempt of court for violating the rights of incarcerated people, removing avenues of transparency, and failing to address the dangerous conditions at Rikers.
On June 12, the New York Legislature passed an omnibus corrections oversight bill that includes overhauling the government watchdog—the State Commission of Correction—with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Rikers Island. This Commission is responsible for ensuring that Rikers Island is “safe, stable, and humane” for incarcerated people, but it has consistently failed to meet this responsibility. The Commission also has the power to shut down Rikers for consistently violating the rights of incarcerated people. In 2018, the Commission called for the closure of Rikers, but has yet to take any meaningful action to achieve the aim. The bill is currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
Statement from Katal Center
Shureen Harris, Member of the Katal Center, said: “I have loved ones near to my heart that have been detained at Rikers and have had to endure horrific conditions. Currently, my brother-in-law is incarcerated at Marcy Correctional Facility. I can tell you with no hesitation that all of the jails and prisons in New York State are failing to keep our incarcerated loved ones safe. Our people are dying while under the custody of the Department of Corrections from medical neglect, physical abuse, and unsafe conditions. It is absolutely heartbreaking that two people died at Rikers yesterday. This marks at least 40 deaths at Rikers under the Adams administration. I send my deepest condolences to their family. It’s just sad that this continues to happen. Even though it may not be your blood family, it is still like a family member and their death impacts all of us. It hurts that this is not a good world that cares about the well-being of all people, including those who are incarcerated. For the sake of incarcerated people and their families, Governor Hochul must swiftly sign into law the omnibus bill S.8415 (Salazar) / A.8871 (Dilan), which consists of ten correctional oversight and accountability bills. Section H of the omnibus bill includes legislation S.856 (Salazar)/ A.2315 (Gallagher), which overhauls the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the watchdog agency with investigative and oversight powers over every jail and prison in the state. They have the power to shut down facilities like Rikers Island that are out of compliance with maintaining ‘safe, stable, and humane’ conditions. Governor Hochul must sign the bill NOW to protect incarcerated people and save lives.”
Background: #ShutRikers is a campaign of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice. Katal members, supporters, and our allies are working to cut the correctional populations and the budgets used for caging people; shut down Rikers Island; and invest in real public safety: housing, health care, education, and jobs.
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