Over the weekend, an inmate died on Rikers Island, marking the 19th death in New York City’s beleaguered jail system so far this year, according to officials.
Edgardo Mejias, 39, died in the Anna M. Kross Center around 5 p.m. on Sunday, according to the city’s Department of Correction.
“The departure of Mr. Mejias fills our hearts with sorrow, and we express our deepest condolences to all who held him dear, as we know how difficult it is to lose a loved one around the holidays,” stated DOC Commissioner Louis Molina in a statement.
Mejias was arrested on October 1 for four pending criminal counts from this year, including robbery, grand larceny, and petit theft.
According to the court documents, bail was imposed at $10,000 and $5,000 in two of the cases. In the remaining two cases, bail was set at $1.
Last month, the Legal Aid Society, the largest legal aid group in the city, advocated for a federal takeover of the violence-plagued jail system.
A federal judge in Manhattan promptly refused the request, stating that while she is extremely concerned about safety concerns at Rikers, such a takeover may divert resources away from the inmates.
»19th death recorded in beleaguered New York City jails«