Who died in Rikers and how?
They include the dead Wilson Diaz-Guzman, 30, who was hanged in his cell in January, and Javier Velasco, 30, who was found unanswered in March with a sheet wrapped around his neck. On August 10th Brandon Rodriguez, 25, he was found hanging under a shower in an entrance area to the prison and on 30 August. According to Guallpa, 57, was found dead in what the Department of Correction described as an alleged suicide.
On Wednesday, the city’s chief forensic doctor said the death of Tomas Carlo Camacho, 48, in March, had also been a suicide. Mr. Camacho found himself unanswered and on his knees with his head through a small opening in the cell door known as a fist slot.
This year at least five more people have died on Rikers Island: Thomas Braunson III, 35, Richard Blake, 45, Jose Mejia Martinez, 35, Robert Jackson, 42 and, last week, Esias Johnson, 24.
According to the city, Mr. Braunson died of an overdose and Mr. Blake from heart disease. The causes of Mr. Martinez, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Johnson remains undecided.
Allen Chey King, 51, detained in Rikers, said he found Mr. Johnson unanswered in a prison dormitory. Johnson sought medical attention from staff during the two days prior to his death, King said.
King said guards tried to help, but it appeared the clinic had a backup with patients.
“It simply came to our notice then. It hurt his stomach, “Mr. King said.” He said he needed to go to the clinic. “
Who is responsible for the deterioration of conditions?
Rikers is a city jail, but people are sent there because he is accused of violating state law. This means that any attempt to resolve the crisis there must take place at the complicated intersection of state and city politics.