NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A person incarcerated on Rikers Island was found dead in his cell Saturday making him the sixth inmate to die this year at the jail complex, the third in less than a month.
The incarcerated man was identified as Staten Island resident Emmanuel Sullivan, the Daily News reported.
Sources told the Daily News a correction officer found the 20-year-old just before 4:30 p.m. dead in his bed at the Robert N. Davoren Center.
“The housing area was staffed and all tours were conducted throughout the day,” the Department of Correction said in a statement. “Mr. Sullivan’s passing fills our hearts with grief, as we understand everyone entrusted to our care is someone’s loved one. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
The circumstances surrounding Sullivan’s death are still unclear but sources told the New York Post his death does not deem to be a suicide.
Court records show Sullivan was charged with murder and robbery in February for the killing of Tamer Shaarawy during a home invasion. He was scheduled for court this week.
Just 10 days ago, Mary Yehudah, a woman incarcerated at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers, died of a drug overdose.
Rikers has been under increasing scrutiny due to reports of rampant abuse and mismanagement at the prison.
A court ordered report on the prison was released in mid-March and found abuse by guards and prisoners went unchecked, over 1,400 staff are listed as out sick on any given day and record keeping is in disarray.
Federal prosecutors issued a letter on April 19 recommending a court-appointed oversight body that could implement sweeping changes to New York City’s prisons if the DOC fails to do so of its own accord.
Sixteen prisoners died at Rikers or shortly after leaving the prison last year.
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