FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 25, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY
Another Person Died on Rikers, At Least the 10th Death in DOC Custody this Year
Under Mayor Adams, at Least 43 People Have Died in NYC Jails; Key Oversight Legislation Awaits Gov. Hochul’s Signature
New York, NY: On Saturday, news broke that Ardit Billa, 29 years old, died while being incarcerated at the George R. Vierno Center (GRVC) on Rikers Island. This is the tenth person to die in DOC custody this year. At least 43 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022. In 2025, the city is currently on track to double the number of deaths at Rikers from 2024.
On June 12, the New York Legislature passed an omnibus corrections oversight bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), that includes overhauling the government watchdog—the State Commission of Correction—with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Rikers Island. The bill is currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
Statement Baron Lee, Member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice:
I feel so deeply for the death of Mr. Billa, the 29 year old that passed away at Rikers over the weekend. He was so young and had so much to look forward to but because of the horrific conditions at Rikers his time was cut short. I send my deepest condolences to all of those who knew and loved him. I have witnessed the impact that incarceration has on our youth; it is destroying generations. Young adults from my community are being sent to Rikers Island, where they are experiencing horrible violence and left to languish.
It is unimaginable that Mr. Billa’s death marks the 10th person to pass away in NYC jails this year. Mayor Adams should be ashamed for failing to address this ongoing crisis by shutting down Rikers once and for all. The NYC council must hold him accountable.
I urge Governor Hochul to step up and sign into law the Omnibus Bill S.8415 (Salazar) / A.8871 (Dilan), which includes ten correctional oversight and accountability measures. Section H of the bill, includes legislation that would overhaul the State Commission of Correction (SCOC)—the state watchdog agency with the power to shut jails and prisons like Rikers Island that fail to keep incarcerated people and staff in a ‘safe, stable, and humane environment.’”
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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