She was sent to Rikers Island because she could not pay a $ 500 bail. Now she's dead and her family wants answers

by



[ad_1]

Civil rights groups say that Polanco's death represents a set of factors that can trap people of color in the justice system – especially transgender women of color – with catastrophic consequences.

His death also renewed the conversation about the dangers of pretrial detention, raising the question of whether the recently adopted bail reform laws in New York could have saved her.

"We know the system has failed Layleen," said David Shanies, a lawyer representing the family. "What we are trying to find out now is how it happened."

While the authorities are investigating the causes of his death, a community is in mourning and his family is searching for answers. They want to know how Polanco found herself in Rikers Prison for criminal charges and why she was left alone despite a health problem that has resulted in seizures.

Mayor Bill de Blasio promised a transparent investigation into Polanco's death.

"I just want people in the transgender community to know that we are a city committed to doing things right and having a respectful city, and we need to know all the details."

A community brings together

His death is the last of the last weeks to draw attention to the tragic fate of the transgender community.

At a protest Monday in Lower Manhattan, a banner bore the names of other transgender women who died, many of whom were victims of violence. Other participants waved placards stating "Black & Brown Trans Lives Matter" and #JusticeForLayleen.

Members of Polanco's biological and extended family have come together to seek justice.

It was part of the House of Xtravaganza, a famous group of the drag-ball scene in New York. Indya Moore, another member of Xtravaganza and an actor in the FX series "Pose", said at Monday's rally, saying that Polanco's death was a reminder of the difficulties transgender women face in surviving.

"Our community is literally dying to live in. We literally die to be visible in peace and harmony with you all," Moore told the crowd. "We are not safe anywhere."

The rally participants also called for the closure of Rikers, which has become a symbol of the evils of remand, particularly in the case of Kalief Browder.

"We have a lot of unanswered questions, but we know that Layleen Polanco Xtravaganza should not have died in a cell on Rikers Island," said Beverly Tillery, executive director of New York City's anti-violence project. , organized Monday to rally.

"Our community has come together to demand a thorough and fully transparent investigation and an end to the conditions that turned a crime into a death sentence," she said in a statement.

How the bail reform could have saved her

Polanco was arrested on charges of assault and harassment, according to court records.

She was arrested because she had missed hearing dates as part of a program substitution program for incarceration resulting from prostitution charges, according to the court's records. court.

Studies show that transgender people face high levels of discrimination in housing and employment, which can lead to a cycle of poverty that results in some people engaging in illicit activities, such as prostitution and drugs. trapping them in the justice system.
To ease the cycle of criminalization, the state of New York passed a law on the reform of bail in April that puts an end to the pecuniary bond for most crimes and non-violent offenses.

If Polanco had been arrested after January 2020, when the new measures came into force, she would not have been on bail, Audacia Ray told New York City's anti-violence project, which organized the rally.

"Polanco was caught in the crossroads of appalling criminal justice policies and this systemic violence resulted in her death," she said.

Cause of death under investigation

The court records indicate that Polanco was arrested on April 13 and detained three days later.

An officer found that Polanco was not answering in his cell in the afternoon of June 7, the Corrections Department said.

Medical staff found her unconscious and cared for her until she was pronounced dead at 3:45 pm.

The Department of Corrections stated that the cause of death was under investigation, but that it was not the result of violence and the preliminary reports do not report any criminal act.

"This is a tragic loss and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and we are conducting a thorough investigation as the safety and well-being of those in our care is our top priority," said Cynthia Brann, Commissioner of the Department. of the Correction, in a statement. .

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is analyzing the cause and manner of death, said spokeswoman Aja Worthy-Davis.

"The trauma has not contributed to this fatality.We are now conducting toxicology exams and additional medical examinations to identify other possible factors."

The mourners gather Monday in Lower Manhattan to remember Layleen Cubilette-Polanco.

Polanco's family said she was suffering from a serious health problem that had caused seizures, said Shanies. They suspect that inadequate care could have contributed to his death, particularly after his placement in solitary confinement.

But the Department of Corrections said that there was no solitary confinement. Polanco was placed in what she calls restrictive housing at the Rose M. Singer Center on May 30, after she was tried for assault that injured another person in custody, the DOC said.

The Ministry has described restrictive housing as a joint program with correctional services designed to "encourage participation in mental health programs". Residents of the unit receive up to seven hours a day outside their cell for programs, services and entertainment.

No matter how she found herself there, she was entitled to appropriate medical treatment, said Shanies, especially if she had an altercation that could have exacerbated her condition.

And she did not deserve to die.

"The family is looking for answers, looking for information and asking a lot of questions."

[ad_2]

Source link