Inmate at Rikers Island dies following reported seizure, marking the third in-custody fatality in just two weeks at the facility.

In a series of unfortunate events, six individuals have died in custody across various facilities in New York City since late August.

The latest death occurred at Rikers Island on Wednesday night, the details of which are still emerging. The Department of Correction confirmed the incident, but the name of the deceased has not been disclosed.

This tragic event follows the death of a man who suffered a seizure and passed away at 8:35 p.m. on September 3. The man was being held at Brooklyn Criminal Court.

The death toll in city custody this year now stands at 12, with another person incarcerated at Rikers Island losing their life on August 23. A pedicab driver died in custody at the Midtown South Precinct on Aug. 29, adding to the growing concern.

The recent spate of deaths has led to calls for action from various quarters. Tina Luongo, chief attorney of The Legal Aid Society, described the incidents as part of a broader systemic failure. 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.

Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda, questioned Mayor Eric Adams, asking how many more New Yorkers have to die at Rikers before action is taken. The organisation, along with others, has been advocating for the closure and decarceration of Rikers Island, citing 45 deaths in custody since Mayor Adams took office.

The crisis at Rikers Island has been under scrutiny for some time now. In May, a federal judge ordered the appointment of an independent remediation manager to take over Rikers operations. The jail population has spiked by 33% since Mayor Adams took office.

In June, Rikers saw two people die in custody within about an hour of each other. City Hall has shown no indication it plans to address the crisis, according to Luongo.

Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, acknowledges one death in custody is too many but points to the progress made by Adams in addressing systemic issues on Rikers Island. The safety and well-being of every person in custody is the top priority, and the recent tragedies are being thoroughly investigated, according to Garcia.

However, critics such as Jerome Wright, co-director of the HALT Solitary Campaign, argue that the Adams administration is doubling down on a racist system. Wright calls for freeing people, closing deathtrap jails, and building a system of equal justice.

The city law requires Rikers Island to shut down by 2027, but the deadline's certainty is uncertain due to incomplete construction of the four borough-based jails. The ongoing situation at Rikers Island continues to raise concerns and calls for urgent action.

Inmate at Rikers Island dies following reported seizure, marking the third in-custody fatality in just two weeks at the facility.