Probe Into Death of Rikers Island Prison Inmate Left in Overheated Jail Cell
NEW YORK (AP) — The head of New York City's jails system says an investigation has been launched into the death of a mentally ill veteran who city officials tell The Associated Press died in an overheated cell.
Acting Department of Correction Commissioner Mark Cranston says in a statement that the temperature in 56-year-old Jerome Murdough's cell was "unusually high."
Four city officials tell the AP Murdoughwas found dead last month in a cell that was at least 100 degrees in a unit for inmates with mental illnesses at Rikers Island.
They say Murdoughapparently didn't open a small vent to let cool air in and was on anti-psychotic medication that made him more sensitive to heat.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.
(Story by: Jake Pearson, The Associated Press with minor editing by WIBX)
More From WIBX 950
