NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Rikers Island inmate hung himself in his cell on Saturday — the fourth death at the notorious prison this year, the New York Post reported.
Dashawn Carter, 25, died around 5 p.m., only two days after he started serving a sentence there for robbery, the Department of Correction announced on Sunday. Anonymous sources later told the Post the death was a suicide.
The sources also said prison staff were aware Carter had mental health issues.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death and the New York State Attorney General’s Office will investigate.
“Any death in custody is a tragic event and an impactful loss,” said DOC Commissioner Louis Molina. “We are truly heartbroken for this person’s family and loved ones and we wish to express our deepest condolences. As with all deaths in custody, we will work with our partner agencies on an immediate and full investigation.”
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.
Three of the four deaths that took place at the prison this year still do not have official explanations.
An OCME spokesperson said 49-year-old George Pagan, the second inmate to die at Rikers this year on March 17, died of sepsis caused by a virus and drug use. But the medical examiner has not yet announced the cause of death for 52-year-old Herman Diaz, who died March 18, or 38-year-old Tarz Youngblood, who died Feb. 27.
Youngblood's death sparked protests from his family, public defenders and concerned citizens who denounced unsafe conditions at the prison and demanded its closure.
His wife told Gothamist she spoke to her husband less than six hours before his death and was not aware of any illness or injury, but another inmate told her over the phone that Youngblood was in a “dangerous situation.”
The OCME still hasn’t announced his cause of death over two months later.
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