Young Man’s Suicide Following Stint At Rikers Island Shines Light On Mental Health Crisis In Prisons

Kalief Browder, who was accused of stealing a backpack, spent three years on Rikers Island without being tried or convicted—and about two of those years were spent in solitary confinement. New York City has reached a $3.3 million settlement with his family. “There is no reason he should have gone through this ordeal,” NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “and his tragic death is a reminder that we must continue to work each day to provide the mental health services so many New Yorkers need.”

from Kaiser Health News http://bit.ly/2Te4dRf