Two Inmates Die at Rikers Island in a Single Day

The death toll at Rikers Island has risen to seven this year, following the deaths of two inmates on Friday. The first, Benjamin Kelly, 37, was found in medical distress at the Eric M. Taylor Center around 3 p.m. Despite emergency treatment, he died shortly after at 3:31 p.m.

Later that afternoon, James Maldanado, 56, experienced a medical emergency while on a bus traveling to Rikers to await a court hearing after being discharged from a hospital. He received medical care at the jail’s sallyport but also passed away.

A corrections officer walks down a corridor inside Rikers Island. — A corrections officer patrols inside Rikers Island, which is currently under federal oversight.

Corrections officials expressed their condolences, with Corrections Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddle stating, “The lives of everyone in our care are valued, and it is profoundly tragic to lose two individuals in one day. Our deepest sympathies go to their families. These incidents will be investigated thoroughly.”

Rikers Island has faced ongoing oversight due to systemic issues, with a federal monitor supervising operations since 2015. Recently, a federal judge appointed a remediation manager to lead improvements, as the inmate population has increased from about 4,000 in 2020 to over 7,000.

The cause of the inmates’ deaths will be determined by the medical examiner.