Staff members at Rikers Island face suspension following the in-custody death of a detainee, according to NYC jail officials.

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) has suspended three staff members following the death of Ardit Billa, a detainee at the Rikers Island jail complex. Billa was found unresponsive in his cell at the George R. Vierno Center around 12:30 a.m. last Saturday, and was pronounced dead shortly before 1 a.m. on the same day.

The detainee's death marks the 10th Rikers detainee to die in or shortly after being released from DOC custody this year. This number is double the number of detainee deaths for all of 2024, raising concerns about the conditions at Rikers Island.

Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, who is overseeing the investigation into Billa's death, has not disclosed the identities or positions of the suspended staff members. The correction department is currently investigating the incident, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still determining Billa's cause of death.

Under a new city law that took effect this month, the jails agency is required to provide timely information about in-custody deaths to detainees' families and attorneys. However, the family of Ardit Billa has not received any information about the circumstances surrounding his death. Billa's aunt stated that the family is still searching for answers.

The Legal Aid Society, which represented Billa, has called for a "swift, independent and impartial investigation" into his death. The organisation is also representing Billa's family in seeking answers about his death. Billa's attorney could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

The new city law aims to increase transparency regarding in-custody deaths at Rikers Island. The Legal Aid Society has been advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the DOC for many years. The organisation has been critical of the department's handling of in-custody deaths in the past.

Ardit Billa had been held at Rikers Island since February on a bench warrant related to assault and other charges. The number of Rikers detainee deaths this year is a stark reminder of the need for reform and accountability in the DOC.

The community and advocates for criminal justice reform are urging the DOC to release more information about Billa's death and the investigation into the incident. They are also calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The DOC has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all detainees in its custody. The recent spate of deaths at Rikers Island is a clear indication that more needs to be done to improve conditions and prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.

Staff members at Rikers Island face suspension following the in-custody death of a detainee, according to NYC jail officials.