FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 15, 2022
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org | (347) 201-2769
Follow on Twitter @KatalCenter | #CutShutInvestNY
Another Person Dies at Rikers– 12th Death this Year
With Rikers in Crisis, Mayor Must Cut Jail Population, Shut Rikers, and Invest In Real Safety: Housing, Health Care, Education, Jobs
New York, NY: This morning, the New York Times reported the death of yet another person at Rikers Island Jail Complex. This is the 12th death of an incarcerated person this year in custody of the New York City Department of Correction. Last year was among the deadliest on record at Rikers, and 2022 is on track to exceed this grisly benchmark.
Statement from Henry Robinson, Member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice.
“We are outraged to hear that yet another person has passed away on Rikers Island. 12 people have passed away this year alone and Mayor Adams has done absolutely nothing to address this crisis. There are family members in our communities right now that are terrified and live in constant fear of getting the call that their loved one is dead. This was the fear my family had while I was stuck on Rikers and I don’t wish that upon anybody. My condolences go out to all the families that are grieving. We cannot forget that the individuals at Rikers are human beings and they need to be treated as such. Mayor Adams the time is now to decarcerate and cut the number of people in NYC jails. Shut down Rikers. And invest in real community safety for all New Yorkers – housing, health care, education, jobs. #CutShutInvestNY!”
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