Three NYC Corrections officials suspended following the death of a man at Rikers Island.
In a significant development at Rikers Island, a Department of Correction captain and two officers have been suspended following the recent death of Ardit Billa, a 29-year-old inmate. Billa was discovered unconscious in a cell at the George R. Vierno Center early on Saturday morning. The incident marks the tenth death connected to New York City’s jail system in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about inmate welfare and the conditions within correctional facilities.
Billa was found around 12:25 a.m. with his head submerged in a toilet and covered in feces, sources indicate. Despite efforts by jail officers to administer medical aid, he was pronounced dead shortly after, at 12:58 a.m. The exact cause of death remains under investigation, leaving unanswered questions regarding the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.
Billa had been in the Vierno Center’s specialized Program to Accelerate Clinical Effectiveness (PACE), designed for seriously mentally ill detainees. Reports suggest he had refused to leave his cell for several days, raising alarms about his mental health. Justyna Rzewinski, a former social worker at the facility, voiced concerns over the decision to keep Billa enclosed in restrictive conditions. Rzewinski stated that earlier hospitalization might have been necessary, considering the gravity of his condition at the time of his death.
Billa had been incarcerated since February 23, after missing an initial court appearance related to an assault charge. He had been arrested following accusations of slashing a neighbor in his Bronx apartment. Initially released without bail after being charged with assault and weapons possession, a warrant was issued for his arrest upon missing a court date. He was later remanded on a ,000 bail.
In response to the incident, both internal and external investigations have been initiated to thoroughly evaluate the circumstances surrounding Billa’s death. Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie emphasized the department’s commitment to a complete review of the situation, recognizing the grave nature of the incident.
Paul Idlett, president of the Correction Captains Association, acknowledged the complexity of leadership within correctional environments, emphasizing the pressures officers face. He stressed the importance of a balanced evaluation of the circumstances, urging a fair assessment of the challenges faced by staff in such critical situations.
As this incident unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for systemic reforms within the correctional system to improve the conditions for inmates and to address the critical issue of mental health support. The ongoing investigations will likely shed further light on the systemic issues impacting the New York City jails and the care provided to their vulnerable populations.
