Investigators are looking into a potential case of inmate abuse in New York City. Corrections officers in charge of overseeing a ward at Rikers Island prison facility in New York City failed to respond in time to save an inmate’s life late last month. 43-year-old David McPeck was found “unresponsive” in his cell at Rikers at around 8:21 in the morning on August 29th. He would eventually be declared dead. And while inmate deaths inside Rikers Island are not unheard of, this particular incident has safety advocates questioning the facility’s staff and their commitment to the wellbeing of inmates under their care.
The uproar stems from the fact that first responders didn’t arrive at McPeck’s cell until 16 minutes after the initial call for help. McPeck was transported to a medical facility but was declared dead less than half an hour later. The state’s correctional commission is investigating this death (as it does all inmate fatalities) but whether any punishments or reforms will be made remains to be seen.
Not all successful lawsuits against Rikers involve mysterious deaths. Riker’s Island has a history of scandals including recent incidents which range from guards and officials failing to properly watch out for inmates suffering from mental instability, as well as physical and sexual inmate abuse. In such cases the surviving family members of a deceased victim and injured inmates may be able to hold the prison officials, correction guards and New York City liable for these abuses.
Claims filed by people injured while incarcerated at Rikers Island has remained high even in the face of reforms and overhauls put in place by the governing bodies in charge of correctional facilities.
If you’ve been injured by a correctional officer’s excessive force or have been sexually abused or improperly touched by a correction officer, you need an experienced New York City inmate abuse lawyer on your side. Contact the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel today. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation right now.