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Man Jailed for Parole Violation Becomes 11th Prisoner to Die at Rikers Jail This Year

HeadlineSep 21, 2021

New York City’s Medical Examiner’s Office says it will investigate the death of a disabled prisoner who died Sunday evening at the Rikers Island jail after complaining he was feeling unwell. Forty-two-year-old Isa Abdul-Karim was being held for a parole violation. Under the Less Is More Act, signed just last week by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, he might have been cleared for release as early as this week. Abdul-Karim is the 11th prisoner to die at Rikers since December. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged to close Rikers, with plans to replace it with a network of smaller borough-based jails.

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