New York to pay record compensation to transgender family killed in Rikers prison

New Yorker Leylin Polanco died in Rikers solitary confinement due to epilepsy. The prison staff did not provide timely assistance to her. Now New York will pay $ 5,9 million to the family of the deceased. The edition writes about it New York Post.

Leylin Polanco, 27, has died in solitary confinement in a prison on Rikers Island in New York.

In connection with the high-profile death, the girl's family will receive compensation from the city in the amount of $ 5,9 million. “This agreement will allow the Leylin family to move forward without years of protracted litigation and survive the trauma,” said Polanco family lawyer David Sheinis. "The city's largest prison death settlement should serve as a powerful statement that trans lives matter."

Polanco, suffering from epilepsy, died on June 7, 2019.

At the time, she was in solitary confinement at Rikers Prison for allegedly attacking other prisoners three times.

Polanco was originally imprisoned on April 16, as the newspaper writes. USA.One... She was detained on two misconduct charges - drug possession and assault. About two months before her death, the girl was unable to post a $ 500 bond.

On the subject: Know Your Rights: How To Behave With US Police

In connection with the death of Polanco, 17 prison staff, including three guards and a captain, were disciplined following an investigation by the internal authorities. This was announced in June by the leadership of the Department for the Execution of Sentences.

In the same month, the City Investigation Department and the Bronx District Attorney's Office, which was conducting a joint investigation into the case, refused to file criminal charges against the officers involved.

Investigators, however, determined that the guards were checking Polanco's cell at longer intervals than they should. Convicts in solitary confinement must be checked at least once every 15 minutes. However, the camera of the deceased was checked at intervals of 47 minutes.

The Department of Internal Affairs said it had referred the violation to DOC for "appropriate administrative action."