Man dies at Rikers Island, marking the 10th inmate death in New York City jails in 2023.
A man incarcerated at Rikers Island was found dead early Saturday, marking the tenth inmate fatality within New York City jails this year. The Department of Correction (DOC) reported that Ardit Billa, aged 29, was discovered unresponsive in his cell at the George R. Vierno Center at approximately 12:25 a.m. Medical personnel was summoned, but Billa was pronounced dead shortly before 1 a.m.
The circumstances surrounding Billa’s death are currently under a full review, as announced by Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. Billa had been in custody since February 23, having faced charges of assault and weapons possession stemming from a January arrest in Brooklyn. Following his initial release on bail, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for court. Upon being re-arrested, a judge set his bail at ,000.
Despite a judge referring Billa’s case to an alternative court program on August 5, records indicate he remained incarcerated at the time of his death. This incident follows another tragic event last month, when 33-year-old Edwin Quispe was found unresponsive in a bathroom at Rikers’ Eric M. Taylor Center. The investigation into Quispe’s death is ongoing.
The recent death of Billa brings the total number of fatalities related to city jails to ten in 2025, a troubling statistic that reflects a significant increase compared to previous years. In 2024, there were five reported jail-related deaths, while the figures for the preceding years include nine deaths in 2023, 19 in 2022, and 16 in 2021. This alarming trend has raised questions regarding the conditions and management of the facility.
As scrutiny of the NYC jail system intensifies, this latest incident highlights ongoing concerns about inmate safety and the effectiveness of correctional policies. Advocates for reform have long called for changes aimed at improving the living conditions within Rikers Island and ensuring the health and safety of those confined within its walls. The DOC’s commitment to a comprehensive review of Billa’s death may offer a pathway toward addressing these critical issues, but the effectiveness of such measures will be closely monitored. Media News Source.
