The Fortune Society Responds to the Latest Death of a Man in Custody in Criminal Court in Manhattan

(New York, NY)—Stanley Richards, the President and CEO of The Fortune Society, issued the following statement today, following the death of a 43-year-old man in custody at the Manhattan criminal Court:

“I am deeply saddened and frustrated by the death of a man in custody at the Manhattan Criminal Court today. This tragic incident marks the second death at this courthouse in just a month and the sixth in-custody death in New York City this year alone.

The pattern of deaths within our criminal legal system is alarming and unacceptable. While the exact circumstances of this latest incident are still under investigation, it is clear that our current system is failing to protect the lives and well-being of those in its care.

These recurring tragedies underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform in our criminal justice system. We must act now, in part by ensuring there is accountability and responsibility vested in administration officials whose sole responsibility is closing Rikers on time; collectively ensure cases move through our court systems expeditiously; and take other proven steps to safely reduce the jail population.

We need bold, transformative action to prevent further loss of life and to create a justice system that truly serves and rehabilitates. The Fortune Society stands ready to work with all stakeholders to implement these crucial reforms and build a safer, more just New York for all.”

About The Fortune Society:

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for over five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop-in services and supportive housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.