Prisoner attempts escape from notorious Rikers Island jail after jumping in water

Justin Vallejo
·1 min read
The Rikers Island Prison complex (foreground) is seen from an airplane in the Queens borough of New York City: REUTERS
The Rikers Island Prison complex (foreground) is seen from an airplane in the Queens borough of New York City: REUTERS

An attempted escape from Rikers Island was thwarted after an inmate climbed a fence and jumped into the waters surrounding the notorious New York City jail.

The prisoner was being held on an assault charge at George R Vierno Centre at the time of the escape attempt, according to the corrections officers' union.

While the inmate was captured almost immediately, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that they had been requested for a water search near the prison after it was reported a second inmate had remained at-large.

A headcount at the prison determined only one inmate was involved.

The Department of Corrections Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, Peter Thorne, said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"Around 12:30pm today on Rikers Island a detainee climbed a recreation yard fence and ran to the shoreline," Mr Thorne said. "That individual was promptly apprehended by DOC staff."

Correction Officers' Benevolent Association President Elias Husamudeen said the quick thinking of K-9 Correction Officers Larry McCardle and Gregory Braska thwarted the attempted escape.

Two Rikers Island corrections officers thwarted an escape attempt (CORRECTION OFFICERS’ BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, INC.)
Two Rikers Island corrections officers thwarted an escape attempt (CORRECTION OFFICERS’ BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, INC.)

"These two brave officers immediately jumped into action to bring the inmate back into custody without any regards for their own safety," Mr Husamudeen said.

"We proudly salute them for their bravery and for reminding the public the critical role correction officers play every day in maintaining public safety."

The attempted escape came a day after revelations that a prisoner from Rikers Island, in the East River between The Bronx and Queens, live-streamed on Facebook for nearly 2 hours; complaining about conditions, taking phone calls and recording other inmates.