Michael Nieves, charged and awaiting trial, attempted suicide on August 25, 2022, by cutting his throat while guards failed to provide timely assistance. Officers watched as he bled out for ten minutes before medical help arrived. This incident and others prompted a federal judge to remove control of Rikers Island from New York City due to consistent failures in inmate care. Oversight bodies have criticized the systemic neglect, linking Nieves' case to broader issues experienced by the severely mentally ill detainees in Rikers.
On August 25, 2022, Michael Nieves attempted suicide by cutting his throat while in a psychiatric unit on Rikers Island, resulting in a 10-minute wait for medical assistance.
The response of the officers present during the suicide attempt has drawn criticism, leading to calls from the New York State attorney general and various watchdog groups.
The serious lapses in care for inmates, such as the case of Michael Nieves, contributed to a federal judge’s decision to take control of the jail away from New York City.
An independent oversight body member indicated that Nieves' experience is representative of the broader issues of neglect and inadequate care prevalent within Rikers Island.
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