Even as the population of New York City jails declined over the past half decade, the death rate among detainees surged, according to fatality statistics provided to the Daily News.
Death rates at Rikers Island and other lockups in 2021 and 2022 were higher than in any year since 2000, according to city Board of Correction data obtained via a freedom of information request by the Jails Action Coalition, an advocacy group.
“We need to be crystal clear about what’s happening here. This is a humanitarian crisis, and the state has an obligation to act,” said state Sen. Julia Salazar, D-Brooklyn.
