Lawsuit Filed by Inmates
Inmates at New York City’s Rikers Island have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were trapped in their cells during a fire that injured 20 people last year. The lawsuit, filed on Friday in Manhattan, involves 15 men who allege they were kept locked in their rooms by corrections officers as the fire spread through a housing unit designed for inmates with acute medical conditions.
Allegations of Negligence
The lawsuit describes a harrowing scene where inmates “choked on toxic black smoke, some vomiting, some losing consciousness, all gasping for air” while corrections staff evacuated to safety. It contends that keeping inmates locked inside a burning building is a “barbaric notion” and violates multiple regulations and standards, including the U.S. Constitution and local fire safety laws.
Incident Details
The fire, which occurred on April 6, 2023, injured 15 jail staffers and five inmates. It was set by a 30-year-old inmate with a history of starting fires, who used batteries, headphone wires, and a remote control to ignite the blaze before adding tissues and clothing to fuel it. The incident highlighted significant lapses in fire safety protocols at the jail.
Criticism of Jail Policies
Joshua Lax, the lawyer representing the 15 men, criticized the corrections department’s policy of keeping inmates locked in their cells during fires, which occur hundreds of times a year at Rikers Island. He argues that this practice exposes inmates to life-threatening conditions from toxic smoke and violates various safety and medical care standards.
Health Consequences
According to Lax, the fire’s aftermath saw delays or failures in conducting necessary medical checks for smoke exposure. Inmates continued to be exposed to dangerous chemicals due to inadequate cleaning of soot and smoke residue. This has led to significant respiratory, pulmonary, and heart problems among the affected detainees.
