NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- An inmate at Rikers Island died Friday just a day after another inmate lost his life while in custody there, according to the Department of Corrections.
The department has not released the identity of the inmate who died Friday, and the cause of death is under investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
George Pagan, 49, died yesterday morning. His cause of death is also under investigation by the OCME.
The man who died today entered DOC custody on Feb. 27 — the same day Tarz Youngblood, a 38-year-old father of three, died at Rikers. He was the first to die at the notorious prison this year.
Youngblood’s death sparked protests from his family, public defenders and concerned citizens who denounced unsafe conditions at the prison and demanded its closure, News 12 reported.
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 and DOC have still not released his cause of death almost three weeks later.
A court ordered report on the prison that was published Wednesday found abuse by guards went unchecked, over 1,400 staff are listed as out sick on any given day and record keeping is in disarray.
Last year, 16 inmates died on Rikers Island or shortly after leaving.
“Every person matters and every death is tragic. We are particularly mindful of this today after suffering another terrible loss yesterday,” said DOC Commissioner Louis Molina. “We are heartbroken for this person’s family and loved ones and working with our sister agencies on full investigations into both losses.”
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