(BROOKLYN, NY) – Brooklyn Defender Services released the following statement following reports of the death of our client, Kevin Bryan, who was the 14th person to die in New York City jails this year:

“We are absolutely devastated by the death of Kevin Bryan who died on Wednesday after seven days of incarceration in a Rikers Island jail. We grieve with his family, friends, and all who are affected by his death.

It is an utter outrage that 14 people have lost their lives in NYC jails this year alone. Mr. Bryan’s death is another horrifying result of NYC Department of Correction’s complete failure to protect the health and safety of people incarcerated in its jails."

View the full statement here.