NYC Correction staff blocked medical staff from treating Rikers Island prisoner who later died

NEW YORK — Correction Department staff in May prevented medical workers from entering the Rikers Island infirmary cell of a 23-year-old woman, who later died, for at least two days — despite the fact she had a rash covering much of her body, medical records obtained by the Daily News show.

Charizma Jones, a Bronx woman serving a yearlong sentence for a Manhattan assault, died July 14 from still unknown causes. But hospital medical records indicate her death may be linked to the rash and an allergic reaction to the antibiotic amoxicillin, according to a review of medical records. She had been treated both at Rikers and in a number of hospitals.

Jones’ condition was so extreme that she spent her final days in a coma at the renowned Weill-Cornell Burn Center on the Upper East Side, after stints at Elmhurst Hospital and Mount Sinai, said lawyer MK Kaishian, based on the medical records.

“It’s too early to say exactly what caused her death, but it’s very clear the conduct of DOC staff in preventing medical staff from providing care to a seriously ill person who was asking for help is horrific and inhumane,” Kaishian said. “We’re going to continue to investigate what caused her death.”

On Monday, the Legal Aid Society — which said last week jail staff “repeatedly ignored” Jones’ requests for medical help — called on the Board of Correction to investigate Jones’ death, according to a letter obtained by The News.

“No security status can justify isolating a person in custody and depriving them of all access to medical care,” the letter said. “In Ms. Jones’ case, DOC’s actions were particularly appalling given that her symptoms were worsening and she was in obvious need of medical intervention and treatment.”

Jones had been housed in the Rose M. Singer Center, the women’s jail on Rikers Island, since Sept. 23, 2023. On April 16, she fought with Correction Officer Asia Fogency at the Singer Center and was charged with misdemeanor assault, court records show. The Legal Aid letter indicates her security status was increased after the assault, and that she was given a “red ID,” which means she was classified as high risk.

On April 28, April 30 and May 4 during sick call — where nurses go around checking for medical issues — Jones complained of a sore throat, fever and a rash that was covering her face, back, torso, legs, with spots on her palms, according to notes compiled by Correctional Health Services, the city agency that oversees medical care in the jails, and obtained by The News.

She was given antibiotics and prednisone, a drug that reduces inflammation.

Over the weekend of May 4, the notes indicate, Jones developed vomiting, chills and a fever of 102 degrees and was transferred May 5 to the infirmary. A 102-degree fever is considered a high-grade fever and cause for concern, according to Harvard Medical School.

There, Jones was placed in a cell and the CHS notes indicated correction officers blocked medical staff on May 5 and May 6 from entering her cell despite multiple attempts by medical staff.

On May 5 just after 1 p.m., for example, a CHS staffer noted Jones was “back in infirmary after second time recorded fever.”

“RN (registered nurse) said DOC do not open door to check vitals. But RN was able to medicaid (medicate) through slot in the door,” the notes state.

“Several attempts were made to do vitals,” a CHS staffer wrote later on May 5. “DOC officer on duty refused to open cell.”

Also on May 5, a second CHS staffer wrote, “Patient is medlock, Patient in one of the infirmary cells, Was not able for nursing staff to check vital signs due security issue as per DOC report.”

Three hours after that, a third staffer wrote, “For security reason, patient cell can’t be opened as per CO (correction officer).”

On May 6, the CHS notes indicate Jones was seen “hovering” over her toilet and had “vomited several times.” The notes state: “DOC stated patient is medlock and can not leave cell for vital signs.”

The notes indicate Jones spoke with a doctor and indicated “fever, vomiting and abdominal pain.” The notes also show her liver function tests showed elevated levels, which could indicate serious illness — and that her condition was getting worse.

“Patient initially presented with sore throat, fever and generalized rash, being treated presumptively for scarlet fever with antibiotics and prednisone,” the notes from May 6 state. “Now with vomiting, chills, fever, markedly elevated LFTs (liver function tests) warranting further evaluation at hospital.”

At that point, Jones was ordered taken by EMS to Elmhurst Hospital, the notes indicate.

Taken to Elmhurst on May 6, Jones was transferred to Mount Sinai on the Upper East Side, and then to the Weill-Cornell Burn Center.

“We see in the documents they (CHS staff) are making notes and they are concerned about the lack of access to the cell,” Kaishian said.

On July 10, Bronx prosecutors consented to her release after she was hospitalized — and after a hearing in which the defense disclosed records showing she was seriously ill.

Jones had a pre-existing history of liver failure in her medical history. Kaishian said it’s too early to say whether that was a factor, but even so, they are still “entitled to medical treatment and access to medical staff in jail.”

Correction Department spokeswoman Annais Morales declined to comment and referred all questions to CHS. She claimed the department “is not responsible for the medical care of persons in custody (PIC) and the department is not made aware of PIC health/medical issues or status.”

On Friday, Morales did not directly answer questions from The News about why CHS staffers were blocked from entering Jones’ cell or what “Medlock” is.

“The department works with our partners at Correctional Health Service (CHS) to ensure persons in custody (PIC) have access to a medical provider around the clock. The only time CHS staff would be unable to access a PIC in their housing area is if there’s a lockdown or some other security issue,” Morales said.

She said while in general population — presumably before Jones went to the infirmary — she was “produced for her sick call appointments on April 26, April 28, May 3 and May 4.

In the infirmary, Jones was produced for her sick call appointments on April 29, April 30, and May 6, Morales said.

Jeannette Merrill, a spokeswoman with CHS, declined to comment, citing “health privacy concerns.”

The family authorized the city Medical Examiner to perform an autopsy on Thursday.

It remains unclear whether the skin condition Jones experienced was unrelated to her death, or caused by an allergic reaction to medication, known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome — a rare disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that starts with a reaction to medication, flu-like symptoms and an excruciating rash that spreads and causes blisters, according to the Mayo Clinic. Kaishian said it was also not immediately clear where an allergic reaction may have developed.

The state Commission on Correction is investigating the death, spokeswoman Kirstan Conley said, adding: “New York State requires that county jails and local lockups provide detained individuals with adequate medical care.”

New York Presbyterian, which did not respond to requests for comment, now oversees the Weill-Cornel Burn Center .

Jones’ death is the fourth jail-related death in 2024, after nine in 2023, 19 in 2022 and 16 in 2021.