A New York City inmate died in the Bronx Tuesday after diving off a floating jail into the East River, FDNY and DOC sources confirmed.
The man was detained at Vernon C. Bain Center, a large jail barge off of Halleck Street in Hunts Point, from where he allegedly took the deadly plunge at about 11:44 a.m. on Sept. 20.
“At approximately 11:44 a.m. today, a person in custody climbed a recreation yard fence at the Vernon C. Bain Center and jumped into the East River. The individual was apprehended and taken to a local hospital for any injuries they sustained during this attempted escape. An investigation is ongoing,” a DOC spokesperson said.
Freedom Agenda Organizer Edwin Santana, who was formerly detained on the Boat, said Tuesday’s incident was a reminder that the city not only needs, in his opinion, to shut Rikers Island down, but also the floating hoosegow.