FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 22nd, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY
Under Mayor Adams, 15 People Have Died in DOC Custody This Year, and Nearly 50 have Died since Adams Took Office in 2022
Another Tragic and Preventable Death at Rikers Highlights Urgent Need to Shut Rikers
New York, NY: This morning, news broke that Kyron Randall, 33-years-old, died while incarcerated at the George R. Vierno Center at Rikers Island after having an allergic reaction. This is the 15th person to die in DOC custody this year. At least 48 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
On Friday December 19th, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, which includes overhauling the State Commission of Correction (SCOC) — the government watchdog agency with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Rikers Island. The SCOC is mandated with the constitutional authority to ensure that correctional facilities across New York – all local jails and state prisons – are “safe, stable, and humane.”
Statement from Yonah Zeitz, advocacy director of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “We send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Randall. He should still be alive today. Under the Adams administration, people incarcerated in New York City jails, including our members’ loved ones, have suffered immense violence, medical neglect, and preventable deaths. This year alone, at least fifteen people have died in city jails, which highlights the severity of this crisis. When Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani takes office in 10 days, we demand that he act immediately to improve conditions, save lives, reduce the jail population, and get the closure process back on track. The incoming City Council must also aggressively use their legislative, budgetary, and oversight powers to address the crisis at Rikers and advance closure.
At the state level, the governor and legislature recognized the ongoing failure of the State Commission of Correction (SCOC) to meet its mandate, which is why, under pressure from community & advocacy groups, they enacted major reforms to the watchdog agency. This tragic death underscores the urgent need for swift and effective implementation of the reforms to overhaul the SCOC. This includes the governor appointing reform-oriented commissioners who will work aggressively to meet the SCOC’s mandate.”
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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