The Rikers Island correctional facility is once again under scrutiny following the suspension of a guard linked to the death of a 32-year-old detainee and the filing of a lawsuit by the family of another deceased former inmate. According to a report by Gothamist, Aramis Furse was found unresponsive in his cell at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center and declared dead at a Queens hospital. The federal monitor overseeing Rikers cited "deficient touring practices by guards" as part of a larger pattern contributing to serious incidents.
An investigation conducted by the city Board of Correction, which was released through a Freedom of Information request, found that the guard responsible for patrolling Furse's area failed to properly check every half hour and left the housing area multiple times without permission. This neglect allowed detainees to exchange contraband and to move freely, while Furse was given a rolled cigarette by another detainee shortly before he became unresponsive. Despite medical assistance and a dose of the opioid antidote Narcan given by the officer, Furse's life could not to be saved.
In addition to the case of Aramis Furse, the family of 20-year-old Ariel Quidone is suing the city over his death, which occurred just a day after his release from Rikers Island. As reported by News12, Quidone faced a robbery charge and was placed in Rikers before experiencing a medical emergency and being transported to Elmhurst Hospital. The family's attorney claimed during a press conference that Quidone's appendicitis was ignored by the medical staff.
The Department of Corrections previously stated that they "cannot comment on someone's medical status once they are no longer in DOC's custody." However, the Quidone family disputes this claim, asserting that DOC officers were still present at the hospital during his treatment. "Honestly, there's no words to describe what happened," Ariel Quidone's sister, Kaylin, told News12. "He didn't deserve this and I want answers. My family wants answers. We haven't received any answers and we want justice."
The issues at Rikers Island, including the higher death toll among detainees in 2025 compared to 2024, highlight ongoing concerns about the facility's ability to ensure the safety and well-being of those in its care.
