A former inmate has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and unnamed correction officers, claiming he was brutally assaulted while in custody.
According to the lawsuit filed by plaintiff Yanick Ramirez, he was subjected to an unprovoked attack by another inmate at Rikers Island's Rose M. Singer Enhanced Supervised Housing (RESH) unit on December 17, 2023. The complaint alleges that this incident was a direct result of systemic understaffing and inadequate supervision by the New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC). The filing claims that these conditions led to a "systemic pattern" of neglect, ultimately resulting in Ramirez being viciously assaulted while handcuffed and defenseless. As stated in the complaint, "Defendants knew of and disregarded the excessive risk of harm to plaintiff's health and safety."
The lawsuit details how Ramirez was escorted by only one officer despite policies requiring two escort officers due to his prior wrist injury. During this escort, an inmate emerged from an unlocked cell and attacked Officer Castalio before turning on Ramirez with a metal object. Despite pleas for help at a locked gate, other officers allegedly failed to intervene or unlock the gate for Ramirez's safety. In addition to physical injuries including cuts to his face, head trauma, and emotional distress, Ramirez claims he was further victimized when sprayed with a chemical agent by another officer during their intervention.
Ramirez is seeking compensatory damages for his injuries under federal law 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of his civil rights secured by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. He also demands punitive damages against individual defendants for their failure to protect him and intervene during the assault. The complaint highlights previous reports documenting widespread violence at Rikers Island due to staffing failures—issues that have been publicly acknowledged yet inadequately addressed by city officials.
Furthermore, Ramirez accuses the City of New York of maintaining unconstitutional policies that perpetuate unsafe conditions within its correctional facilities. He asserts that these practices have been well-documented through media reports and legal actions such as Nunez v. City of New York—a class-action lawsuit highlighting similar grievances about Rikers Island's management. Ramirez seeks not only financial compensation but also hopes this case will prompt necessary reforms within NYCDOC operations, ensuring safer environments for all inmates moving forward.
Ramirez is represented by attorney Brett H. Klein of Brett H. Klein Esq., PLLC. The case was filed in the Eastern District of New York against the City of New York.