The Legal Aid Society is mourning the death of Erick Tavira, the 17th New Yorker to die in New York City Department of Correction (DOC) custody in 2022 alone. Deaths in DOC custody have already exceeded the total from 2021.

“We are both heartbroken and outraged to learn that Erick Tavira, who had no prior convictions and was just 28 years old, had his life cut short by an apparent suicide early this morning on Rikers Island,” reads a statement from Legal Aid. “Mr. Tavira’s case underscores the inevitable outcome when incarceration is used in lieu of treatment. Had Mr. Tavira had access to programming, today’s tragedy could have been completely avoided.”

“Carceral settings are no place for people struggling with mental or substance abuse issues, and all criminal legal system stakeholders must pursue alternatives that prioritize community-based resources over the confines of a cage, the statement continues. “We call on DOC to conduct an immediate investigation with full transparency on the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tavira’s death, and provide timely and accurate information to his family and defense team.”