Rikers Island detainee dies, marking 5th in-custody death this year for NYC jails

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A person in custody at Rikers Island died on Tuesday, the Department of Correction said, bringing the total number of in-custody deaths in New York City jails to five in 2024.

At around 5:20 a.m., the person in custody was transported from the North Infirmary Command at Rikers Island to the hospital. They were pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens at 6:19 a.m.

The individual’s name is being withheld pending family notification. Additional details about their death weren’t immediately released.

The DOC has notified the federal monitor, the State Attorney General’s office, the State Commission of Correction, the Department of Investigation, the Board of Correction, the district attorney, and the attorney of record.

“As with any death of a person in custody, the department will conduct a full investigation and will cooperate with all outside investigative entities,” a DOC spokesperson stated.

This marks the fifth in-custody death in New York City jails this year, according to data from the New York City Comptroller. In 2023, nine people died in custody, and in 2022, there were 19 in-custody deaths.