Source: Family of Charizma Jones
Jail is a punishment, but being behind bars should never be a death sentence. A NYC jail is under investigation after a Black woman, who was severely ill, died from alleged staff neglect.
According to AP, Charizma Jones was being held at Rikers Island when the 23-year-old fell into a coma and died of apparent organ failure.
Jones was receiving treatment for a possible case of scarlet fever and was transferred to an infirmary unit on May 4 after her symptoms worsened.
While in the infirmary unit, when medical personnel tried to check Charizma Jones ’ vital signs, correction officers stopped them from entering her cell on six separate occasions who cited an unspecified “security reason,” according to a report released by the Board of Corrections.
The oversight agency also viewed surveillance video that appeared to show Jones woozy and unable to stand while in the general population on May 4. However, according to the report, an officer called the health clinic to address the medical emergency, but “there was no staff to respond.”