Rikers Island Staff Neglect Reflects Systemic Issues in NYC Jails

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Charizma Jones died due to severe staff neglect at Rikers Island jail.
Correctional officers barred medical personnel from aiding Jones multiple times.
The investigation into her death reveals systemic failure in NYC’s carceral system.
Jones’ death illustrates ongoing issues of dehumanization within the jail environment.
Rikers Island is legally required to close and be replaced by 2027.
Calls for reform demand more than accountability; they seek fundamental change.

Rikers Island Staff Neglect Leads to Tragic Death of Black Woman: The Deadly Consequences of Systemic Racism in New York City Jails

In a chilling example of institutional neglect, 23-year-old Charizma Jones died at Rikers Island due to staff neglect. Her death shows the racism and disregard for human life in New York City’s jail system.

Charizma’s Final Days: A Chronicle of Neglect

Charizma entered Rikers Island in September 2023 for an assault charge. By May 4, 2024, her health was critical, needing infirmary transfer. However, what happened next shows a lack of concern that led to her death.

During May 5-6, officers stopped medical staff from entering her cell six times for vague “security reasons.” Meanwhile, Charizma’s health kept worsening. Attempting to help, other inmates used ice on her and supported her.

The Board of Correction found officers did nothing even when Charizma was seriously ill and vomiting. This lack of action resulted in her dying on June 14, 2024, with “multiorgan failure” as the cause of death. (NYC.gov)

Systemic Racism and Institutional Failure at Rikers Island

Charizma Jones’s death is not unique. It results from racism and institutional failures in NYC jails. Her family’s lawyer stated that officers acted “illegally and immorally,” directly causing her “agonizing” death.

This tragedy points to a culture of inhumanity at Rikers. In November 2024, a judge condemned the jail as a place putting people in “unconstitutional danger.” This strong statement shows the necessity for drastic changes. (NewsOne)

The Urgent Need for Dismantling Rikers Island

Charizma’s death has sparked calls to close Rikers Island immediately. By 2027, the city is set to replace it with four smaller jails. Yet, this timeline seems too slow considering the ongoing rights abuses there.

Critics argue these new jails are just the same flawed system in a new form. They say true justice needs a complete change to public safety that doesn’t focus on imprisonment as the go-to answer.

Investigations and Accountability

Charizma’s death led to investigations by the Board of Correction and NYS Commission of Correction. While needed, these reviews show how problems are handled only after lives are lost.

The family’s lawyer called for the officers involved to be charged criminally. Yet, some activists note that prosecuting individuals misses the actual issues of racism and cruelty that exist within the larger jail system.

Systemic Racism in the Carceral System

Systemic racism refers to policies and practices embedded in our institutions that disadvantage certain racial groups. In the carceral system, this manifests as biased policing and sentencing that disproportionately affect people of color (PubMed). Men and boys of color often face harsher treatment, leading to higher incarceration rates.

Education and employment inequalities contribute to this issue. Underrepresented communities often lack access to quality education and jobs, which can lead to higher rates of incarceration (Robert F. Smith). Therefore, systemic racism in society directly impacts who ends up in prison.

Dehumanization in Jails

Dehumanization means treating people as less than human, stripping away their dignity and rights. In jails, this happens through harsh punishments and degrading treatment. For example, stronger dehumanizing judgments about prisoners lead to harsher punishments and even violence against them (NSF-PAR).

Using solitary confinement and denying medical care are forms of dehumanization. These practices harm prisoners physically and mentally, disproportionately affecting people of color (WorldAtlas). This culture of dehumanization contributes to tragedies like the death of Charizma Jones.

Community-Based Solutions and Restorative Justice

Instead of relying on incarceration, many advocate for community-based solutions. These alternatives focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Programs like probation, parole, and community service allow individuals to remain in their communities while receiving support (Fiveable).

Restorative justice is an approach that seeks to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior. It brings together victims, offenders, and the community to promote healing and accountability (PubMed). Unlike punitive measures, restorative justice aims to address the root causes of harm and fosters reconciliation.

The Historical Treatment of Black Women in Prisons

The case of Charizma Jones highlights the systemic mistreatment of Black women in prisons. Historically, Black women have faced racial and gender-based discrimination within the carceral system (Robert F. Smith). They often receive inadequate medical care and harsher punishments.

Black women are disproportionately affected by systemic racism, leading to higher incarceration rates and harsher treatment (PubMed). This ongoing injustice shows the need for systemic change to protect the rights and dignity of all incarcerated individuals.

Beyond Reform: Challenging Systemic Racism

Charizma Jones’s tragic death needs more than simple reforms or false pledges. It demands an essential change of a system that unfairly targets and harms Black people.

Abolitionists argue that incarceration itself is based on racist ideas and can’t be fixed. They support community solutions that handle problems by prioritizing healing justice over punishment.

FAQ

Q: Who was Charizma Jones?
A: Charizma Jones was a 23-year-old woman who died at Rikers Island due to severe staff neglect, highlighting systemic racism in the jail system.

Q: What factors contributed to Charizma’s death?
A: Charizma’s health deteriorated significantly, and correction officers repeatedly prevented medical personnel from entering her cell, leading to her eventual death from multiorgan failure.

Q: What has been the response to her death?
A: The incident has sparked investigations by the Board of Correction and calls for criminal charges against the officers involved, reflecting broader issues of systemic racism and institutional failure.

Q: What do activists propose in response to the situation?
A: Activists advocate for the complete dismantling of Rikers Island and a reimagining of public safety that prioritizes community-based solutions over incarceration.

Q: How does this incident relate to systemic racism?
A: Charizma Jones’s death is viewed as a symptom of entrenched systemic racism within the carceral system, raising concerns over the treatment and dehumanization of Black individuals in jails.

Q: What is the future outlook for Rikers Island?
A: Rikers is scheduled to close by 2027, but critics argue that the planned new jails may not address the core issues of injustice and racism in the criminal justice system.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.