Rikers Island Inmate Dies Following Seizure: Third In-Custody Fatality in Two Weeks at the Facility

A man's death at Rikers Island on Wednesday night has once again brought the spotlight on the troubled facility. This is the fifth death in the past two weeks at the notorious jail complex, and the 12th person to die in city custody this year.

The Department of Correction confirmed the man's death, but his name has not been released. The incident prompted outrage from advocates who want Rikers Island closed.

The most recent death at Rikers is being thoroughly investigated. An investigation has been initiated into the man's death, which was a result of a seizure.

The death on Sept. 3 follows the cases of Jimmy Avila and another person who died in custody on Aug. 23. These incidents have fueled calls for reform and closure of Rikers Island.

Jerome Wright, co-director of the HALT Solitary Campaign and a former Rikers inmate, called for freeing people, closing Rikers, and building a system of equal justice. Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda, echoed similar sentiments, calling for the closure of Rikers Island and decarceration.

Melanie Dominguez, organizing director at the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a corrections oversight bill passed in June that would expand the State Commission of Correction's authority.

In May, a federal judge ordered the appointment of an independent remediation manager to take over Rikers Island's operations. Chief U.S. Judge Laura Taylor Swain set Aug. 29 as the deadline for all parties to provide a list of four recommended managers for her consideration.

However, the city law requires Rikers Island to shut down by 2027, but the deadline's certainty is uncertain. Construction of the four borough-based jails intended to replace Rikers has faced strong community opposition.

Mayor Adams' spokesperson acknowledged that "even one death in custody is one too many" and pointed to progress in addressing systemic issues on Rikers Island. Notifications were made to various offices, including the federal monitor, the Board of Correction, and the state attorney general's office.

Advocates are urging for more immediate action. Melanie Dominguez urged Gov. Hochul to sign the corrections oversight bill, which would give the State Commission of Correction more power to oversee city jails and address the systemic issues that have led to these tragedies.

The calls for closure and reform of Rikers Island are gaining momentum. With each death, the urgency to address the issues at the jail complex becomes more pressing. The hope is that this tragedy will serve as a catalyst for real change and the closure of Rikers Island.