FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org | (347) 201-2769
Follow on Twitter @KatalCenter | #CutShutInvestNY
Rikers in Crisis– Another Person Dies at Notorious Jail Complex
With the 14th Death this Year, Mayor Must Cut Jail Population, Shut Down Rikers, and Invest In Real Safety: Housing, Health Care, Education, Jobs
New York, NY: This morning, the news broke that yet another incarcerated person died at the Rikers Island Jail Complex. This is the 14th death of an incarcerated person on Rikers this year. Last year was among the deadliest on record at Rikers, and 2022 is on track to exceed this grisly benchmark.
Statement from Sean Balil, Member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice.
At this point, being on Rikers is almost like being handed a death sentence. Many years ago, I was incarcerated at Rikers Island, and it seems the conditions are only getting worse. I know that I could have easily been one of these individuals that now do not get a chance to reunite with their families and rebuild their lives. Words cannot describe how I feel after hearing that another human being passed away this morning due to the Mayor’s failure to take action. Most of the people on Rikers are there pretrial, which means they haven’t been convicted of a crime. We’re subjecting everyone who goes to the Island to a potential death sentence. This is the 14th person who died on Rikers this year. I refuse to accept this as our current reality; New York City must do better. Enough is enough; Mayor Eric Adams must cut the number of people incarcerated at Rikers Island, shut down Rikers, and invest in real community safety for all New Yorkers – housing, health care, education, and jobs.”
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