Rikers Island Detainees Sue NYC Over Alleged Neglect During Facility Fire
Men Trapped in Rikers Island Fire Demand Justice and Accountability
According to the Gothamist, fifteen men who were stuck in their cells during an island fire at a Rikers Island facility last year are now suing New York City. They say prison officers didn’t evacuate them while smoke filled their rooms at the North Infirmary Command. The men, including those with medical needs, suffered greatly as they struggled to breathe in the toxic smoke, with some getting sick and passing out.
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15 Trapped Inmates Sue City of New York Over Deadly Rikers Island Fire: $1 Billion in Damages Sought (PHOTO: The Marshall Project)
Rikers Island Fire Lawsuit Highlights Safety Concerns and Alleged Negligence
The island fire happened on April 6, 2023, and injured twenty people, possibly started by a detainee. The men claim they asked for medical help but didn’t receive any. The lawsuit points out problems at Rikers Island, like broken sprinklers and not following fire safety rules according to a report by the city Board of Correction. Joshua Lax, their lawyer, said jail staff often don’t follow their own rules, blaming it on poor training and supervision. The men want compensation for their injuries, showing how safety at Rikers Island is a big concern.
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