The Fortune Society’s Statement on the Death of Ardit Billa

The death of 29-year-old Ardit Billa at Rikers Island on Saturday underscores the urgent need for City leadership to focus on expediting its closure and transforming our city’s correctional culture. We are now just two years away from the legal deadline to close Rikers. Any loss of life is one too many, and so far this year there have been twice as many deaths as last year. Immediate action is required to safely reduce the population through proven avenues such as alternative to incarceration programs, and other community-based supports. There must be a renewed sense of urgency to ensure that the timely closure of Rikers moves forward.