Man dies on Rikers, fourth death this year
/
Dashawn Carter, 25, a Rikers Island detainee held on burglary and robbery charges, died in the jail complex on Saturday, May 7, 2022. AP file photo by Seth Wenig
By Jacob Kaye
A 25-year-old man detained on Rikers Island died over the weekend, the Department of Correction announced.
Dashawn Carter had been in DOC custody for less than a week when he was found dead of suspected suicide inside the Anna M. Kross Center on Saturday, May 7, according to DOC officials.
Carter’s death marks the fourth detainee death in DOC custody this year and the 20th dating back January 2021.
“Any death in custody is a tragic event and an impactful loss,” DOC Commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement over the weekend. “We are truly heartbroken for this person’s family and loved ones and we wish to express our deepest condolences. As with all deaths in custody, we will work with our partner agencies on an immediate and full investigation.”
Carter, who was being held on burglary and robbery charges, was allegedly found hanging from a window in the cell he was being held in two days after being transferred back to Rikers from a state psychiatric facility, according to reporting by the New York Times.
His death is under investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the State Attorney General and the Department of Investigation.
Carter’s death comes several weeks before Molina and the DOC’s deadline – set by a federal judge – to submit a plan that outlines the agency’s strategy to reduce violence in the jail complex.
Laura Swain, the judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, told New York City Department of Correction leadership at the beginning of the month that they need to submit a plan to the court that details how it plans to implement the recommendations made by Rikers’ federal monitor to address the myriad issues that have plagued the jail for years but have come to a head in recent months.
If the DOC fails to meet the court’s imposed deadline, the jail in crisis will face the prospect of federal takeover.
The DOC has until 3 p.m., on May 17, to meet with the monitor team, led by Steve J. Martin, craft a plan and submit it to the court, Swain ordered. The parties will meet the following week to discuss the plan and make any modifications if necessary.
“I expect real progress,” Swain said earlier this month.
