Rikers inmate found dead, first in DOC custody this year

An inmate on the notorious Riker's Island has died from mysterious causes turning into the primary inmate to die in 2022.
AP Picture/Seth Wenig, File

A Rikers Island inmate was pronounced lifeless on Sunday after being discovered unresponsive metropolis officers mentioned — marking the primary reported loss of life of 2022 on the infamous jail.

The unnamed particular person had been within the jail since Sept. 5, the town mentioned. An investigation is underway in the reason for loss of life.

Final 12 months, 16 individuals died in Division of Correction custody, greater than the earlier two years mixed — and essentially the most since 2016, which noticed 15 in-custody deaths, in accordance with data.

In keeping with officers, the inmate had been incarcerated since September 5, 2021 and an investigation has been launched into the inmate’s loss of life.

AP Picture/Seth Wenig, File

“We are going to work aggressively to find out the circumstances surrounding his loss of life,” Corrections Commissioner Louis Molina mentioned in an announcement. “My deepest sympathy goes out to the family members of this particular person.”