NEW YORK — The City of New York has agreed to pay a settlement of over $28 million in a civil rights lawsuit filed by a woman whose grandson attempted suicide while in custody on Rikers Island. Madeline Feliciano alleged that three correction officers and a captain waited almost eight minutes before helping her grandson, Nicholas Feliciano, who ultimately suffered brain damage as a result. The incident, which occurred in November 2019, was captured on surveillance video and revealed that Nicholas had been left hanging for nearly eight minutes before receiving assistance.
The Rikers Island Correction Department Oversight Board conducted an investigation into the incident and found that the correction officers and the captain were in plain view of Nicholas during the suicide attempt. In response, the officers and the captain were indicted on charges of reckless endangerment and official misconduct in 2022.
As part of the settlement, the City of New York will pay Madeline Feliciano a total of $28.75 million. She expressed that while the settlement will assist her grandson with his medical condition and therapy, the damage has already been done and Nicholas will never be the same.
In addition to the settlement, Madeline Feliciano and her legal team are calling for the closure of Rikers Island. In 2019, the New York City Council passed a plan to shut down the troubled jail complex by 2026. However, Mayor Eric Adams has voiced concerns about public safety and the capacity of the borough jails to accommodate the population currently housed in Rikers.
The case of Nicholas Feliciano’s attempted suicide highlights the urgent need for prison reform and better treatment of individuals in custody. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglect and the devastating impact it can have on vulnerable individuals.
Efforts to address the issues surrounding Rikers Island and improve the criminal justice system continue to be a topic of debate and concern among advocates for reform. This case adds to the growing pressure on policymakers to take action and prioritize the well-being and safety of individuals in correctional facilities.