FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY
Another Tragic Death at Rikers
Under Mayor Adams, 14 People Have Died in DOC Custody This Year, and Nearly 50 have Died since Adams Took Office in 2022
As Deaths Mount, Key Oversight Legislation Awaits Gov. Hochul’s Signature
New York, NY: This morning, news broke that Aramis Furse, 32-years-old, died while incarcerated at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center at Rikers Island. This is the 14th person to die in DOC custody this year. At least 47 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
As the crisis at Rikers worsens, a reform proposal sits on the desk of Gov. Kathy Hochul. In June, the New York Legislature passed a Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus 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. But Gov. Hochul has so far taken no action on the legislation. Last week, a coalition of more than 150 community, advocacy, and faith-based organizations sent a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to swiftly sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill into law.
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. Furse. 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 fourteen people have died in city jails, which highlights the severity of this crisis.
Today’s death underscores how the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the independent government watchdog, with authority over local jails and state prisons including Rikers Island, is utterly failing at its responsibilities. Right now, there is legislation to increase jail and prison oversight, including reforming the SCOC, that awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature. With 24 days left in the year, the governor should immediately sign this bill into law.”
On Tuesday, December 9th at 12 pm, elected officials, directly impacted people, and community and faith-based groups will rally outside of Gov. Hochul’s NYC office to demand that she overhaul the State Commission of Correction by immediately signing the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus bill into law. Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the death of Robert Brooks, and his family has called on the governor to sign this critical legislation.
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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