Overview
- Correction officers responded to a medical emergency at the George R. Vierno Center around 7:50 p.m., and the man was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m., according to the Department of Correction.
- Officials said this is the third detainee death in the city jails in 12 days and the 12th death in or shortly after DOC custody this year, exceeding last year’s total by more than double.
- Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie offered condolences and said every aspect of the incident will be investigated.
- The department notified multiple oversight bodies, including the federal monitor, the Board of Correction, the state Attorney General’s Office, the city Department of Investigation, the state Commission of Correction, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and local district attorneys.
- The latest death follows recent fatalities at Rikers and in police custody, comes after staff suspensions tied to an Aug. 23 death, and lands as a federal monitor report is due and Judge Laura Taylor Swain considers candidates for an outside receiver or manager.