NPR

New York City Reaches $3.3 Million Settlement With Kalief Browder's Family

Browder endured nearly three years on Rikers, most of it in solitary confinement, awaiting trial that never happened. He committed suicide in 2015. His death led to nationwide criminal justice reform.
New York City officials on Thursday announced a $3.3 million settlement with the family of Kalief Browder, who committed suicide after spending nearly three years in Rikers Island, most of it in solitary confinement.

On Thursday, New York City's Law Department announced it had reached a $3.3 million settlement with Kalief Browder's family. The young man from the Bronx, who spent three years on Rikers Island without being tried or convicted, was accused of stealing a backpack.

Nearly two of Browder's three years in jail were spent in solitary confinement. Upon his release in 2015, plagued by what he said was the mental anguish and trauma from his time in jail he hanged himself in his mother's home.

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