Within the span of just over 24 hours, two Rikers inmates have died while in the custody of the Department of Correction, city officials said in a news release Friday evening.
The unidentified individual died while in a clinic area at the Eric M. Taylor Center at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday, DOC officials said.
The cause of the individual’s death is under investigation and will be determined by the chief medical examiner.
The individual had been in DOC custody since Feb. 27, officials said.
On Thursday, DOC officials said George Pagan, a Rikers inmate, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:33 a.m.
This marks the third inmate to die in DOC custody since the start of the year.
“Every person matters and every death is tragic,” Correction Commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement. “We are particularly mindful of this today after suffering another terrible loss yesterday. We are heartbroken for this person’s family and loved ones and working with our sister agencies on full investigations into both losses.”
Last year, a total of 16 inmates died in the custody of the Department of Correction.