In response to the Adams administration’s claims regarding the practice of solitary confinement in city jails, the New York City Council released the following statement from spokesperson Rendy Desamours.

“Mayor Adams and his administration today continued to argue that solitary confinement has not occurred in New York City jails since 2019, but that is inconsistent with the facts. The reality is that New Yorkers like Brandon Rodriguez, Elijah Muhammad and Erick Tavira lost their lives due to prolonged isolation and confinement because, by any name, solitary confinement is harmful and deadly.

“The fact is that under this Administration, over 30 people have died in DOC custody and violence in our jails has remained high. Their management of city jails is already costing New Yorkers their lives.

“We won’t let the people who have died in the City’s care be ignored:

Tarz Youngblood, 38

George Pagan, 49

Herman Diaz, 52

Dashawn Carter, 25

Mary Yehudah, 31

Emanuel Sullivan, 20

Antonio Bradley, 28

Anibal Carrasquillo, 39

Albert Drye, 52

Elijah Muhammad, 31

Michael Lopez, 34

Ricardo Cruciani, 68

Michael Nieves, 40

Kevin Bryan, 35

Gregory Acevedo, 48

Elmore Robert Pondexter, 59

Erick Tavira, 28

Gilberto Garcia, 26

Edgardo Mejias, 39

Marvin Pines, 65

Rubu Zhao, 52

Joshua Valles, 31

Felix Taveras, 40

Ricky Howell, 60

William Johnstone, 47

Curtis Davis, 44

Donny Ubiera, 33

Manish Kunwar, 27

Chima Williams, 43

Manuel Luna, 30

Roy Savage, 51

Charizma Jones, 23.” 

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