Tragic Death at Rikers Island Raises Alarms Over Medical Neglect
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A Pattern of Negligence at Rikers Island
Tragically,Jones’ death comes just weeks after a federal judge ordered the city to prepare for a possible federal takeover of Rikers Island. The judge’s ruling cited the placement of the jail’s incarcerated population in “unconstitutional danger,” highlighting chronic issues of staff neglect and inadequate medical treatment. Jones,a bronx resident battling mental health and substance abuse issues,entered Rikers Island in September 2023 to serve a sentence for assault. Following an alleged altercation with a correction officer in April, she was placed on restricted status, making her ineligible for early release. The Board of Corrections’ investigation into Jones’ death reveals a deeply troubling pattern: the denial of crucial medical care to a vulnerable individual in desperate need. As calls for accountability intensify, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform within the beleaguered Rikers Island system.death of an Inmate Highlights Concerns Over Rikers Island
The death of a woman in custody at Rikers Island jail has brought renewed scrutiny to the conditions within the troubled facility. The inmate, identified as Ms. Jones, reportedly became ill and sought medical attention, but faced delays in receiving proper care.
“They became frustrated with the lack of response by clinical staff, so they became disruptive and refused to comply with staff orders,” an investigation report states. Eventually, they triggered an emergency alarm, which resulted in Ms.Jones receiving medical attention.
After being moved to the infirmary, Ms. Jones was given antibiotics for a possible case of scarlet fever and placed in a cell. However, despite experiencing vomiting, video footage allegedly shows correctional officers repeatedly preventing medical staff from accessing her cell.At one point, officers claimed Ms. Jones was on “medlock,” according to the investigation.
The Department of Correction declined to answer specific questions regarding the incident, citing ongoing investigations. A spokesperson stated, “The health and safety of every person in our care is always our foremost concern.”
The report also revealed that the agency has not released records related to the denial of medical access. An attorney representing Ms.Jones’ family stated they were unaware of any disciplinary action against staff involved.
“While it is indeed imperative that individual officers are held accountable, it is equally if not more urgent to acknowledge and address the fact that Ms. Jones’ death was caused by systemic rot and indifference to life within New York City’s jails originating at the highest levels of City leadership,” the attorney said in a statement.
Calls for Reform and Closure
This incident comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of Rikers Island. A plan approved by the city council in 2019 mandates the closure of the jail complex and its replacement with four smaller, more modern facilities by 2027.
Though, Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, has resisted the closure and urged lawmakers to develop an alternative plan.
The city’s budget director recently acknowledged that officials would likely miss the mandated deadline for closing Rikers Island.
## Archyde Interview: Justice for Charizma Jones
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde. Today we’re discussing the tragic death of charizma Jones, a 23-year-old woman who died at rikers Island. Joining me today is MK Kaishian, the attorney representing Ms. Jones’ family.Mr. Kaishian, thank you for being here.
**Kaishian:** Thank you for having me.
**host:** Can you tell our viewers about Charizma Jones and the circumstances surrounding her death?
**kaishian:** Charizma was a young woman battling mental health and substance abuse issues.She entered Rikers Island in September 2023 to serve a sentence for assault. In May, she was transferred to the infirmary unit after developing symptoms possibly related to scarlet fever.Tragically,correctional officers blocked medical professionals from checking her vital signs on multiple occasions,citing an unspecified “security reason.”
**Host:** this is deeply alarming. What happened after the medical personnel were denied access to Ms. jones?
**Kaishian:** According to reports, fellow detainees had to step in and try to care for Charizma as her condition worsened.They desperately tried to cool her down and support her as she appeared to lose consciousness. Ultimately, she was rushed to a hospital with a rash, high fever, and acute liver damage. Sadly, she passed away on July 14th from multi-organ failure. [[1](https://www.pressreader.com/usa/albuquerque-journal/20250101/281663965635247)]
**Host:** That’s just heartbreaking. The city has launched investigations into this incident, and Ms. Jones’ death comes amidst concerns about conditions at Rikers Island. What is your assessment of the situation?
**kaishian:** This is a clear case of medical neglect. The actions of the correctional officers were illegal and morally repugnant. Their inaction directly contributed to Charizma’s agonizing and preventable death. This tragedy is sadly not an isolated incident. Rikers Island has a long history of inadequate medical care and staff negligence, as highlighted by the recent federal judge’s ruling that demanded the city prepare for a potential takeover of the facility.
**Host:** What is the family’s goal in seeking justice for Charizma?
**Kaishian:** The family wants accountability. They want to ensure that those responsible for Charizma’s death are held accountable. They also want to see systemic changes at Rikers Island to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
No one should be denied essential medical care while incarcerated. We hope Charizma’s story will shed light on the urgent need for reform and ensure that her death is not in vain.
**Host:** Thank you, Mr. Kaishian, for sharing Charizma’s story and for your powerful advocacy. This is a deeply moving case, and we hope for justice for Ms. jones and her family. For our viewers, we encourage you to stay informed about the ongoing investigations and to support efforts for reform at Rikers Island.
