A recent oversight report has revealed alarming details surrounding the death of a Rikers Island detainee, Ramel Powell, who was found dead in his cell on February 19. The 38-year-old succumbed to acute intoxication from a powerful synthetic cannabinoid after being discovered with 121 pills and multiple synthetic drugs in his possession.
The Board of Correction’s First Report and Recommendations on 2025 Deaths in Custody highlights ongoing systemic failures within the Department of Correction (DOC) regarding safety protocols and emergency responses. Powell was found unresponsive at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center after surveillance footage showed him entering a cell where others were allegedly smoking drugs. Investigators noted that the officer present at the time failed to intervene or call for medical assistance, which is indicative of a broader pattern of negligence.
The report outlines that Powell’s death is one of 11 fatalities in DOC custody reported this year. It details how correction staff in two of the five deaths documented failed to notify medical personnel promptly when detainees were in distress. Furthermore, four of the five deceased had documented histories of mental health issues and were receiving psychiatric medication while incarcerated.
In the wake of Powell’s death, a correction officer was suspended and subsequently fired for dereliction of duty. The findings come as the city’s federal court is in the process of appointing a “remediation manager” to oversee significant parts of the troubled Department of Correction, a process that has been ongoing without resolution for over six months.
Following Powell’s case, another detainee, Terrence Moore, died just five days later after collapsing in a Manhattan courthouse holding pen, reportedly after ingesting a pill. His death was ruled an accident caused by a toxic mix of synthetic cannabinoids, similar to those involved in Powell’s death.
The Board of Correction has called for immediate reforms within the DOC, including mandatory retraining for staff on handling medical emergencies, enhanced oversight, and improved record-keeping practices to prevent lapses in safety. The report emphasizes the need for urgent changes to prevent further tragedies and to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.
As the investigation continues, the community remains concerned about the ongoing issues within Rikers Island and the treatment of those in custody.
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