New York City the Big Apple!

New York City:

This city has always been a huge attraction for many people. It has great food, fantastic entertainment, express transportation, four seasons, and many job opportunities. New York has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s not perfect; there isn’t a city that is, at the present moment: their prison system is in a major crisis. Seven men have died since February 17, 2025. Out of the seven, only one was a suicide. What has happened to their prison system?

Deaths:

The latest death Messiah Nantwi was 22 years. He died after being violently beaten by the guards in the bathroom. He ran to the bathroom before his cell check. He had severe behavioral health issues and was not on his medication. Just before the cell check, he became upset and ran to the bathroom crying. The National Guard that was filling in for the guards that were not on duty because of the strike didn’t know what to do but call for the guards. Guards entered the bathroom, beat Mr. Nantwi, and dragged him out of the bathroom in handcuffs and shackles. Other inmates stated that his face was unrecognizable and he was making gurgling sounds, not breathing well. They also stated that they could see medical staff performing CPR on Mr. Nantwi in the back of the ambulance. Later, he was pronounced dead.

Guards illegal strike:

In the news, it was stated that 8,000 guards are on strike for “dangerous work environment, forced overtime, and staffing concerns”.  My question is, when you signed up to be a guard at a prison, did you think it was going to be a safe environment? I understand the forced overtime and staffing concerns: I was a supervisor of my company. Addressing those concerns limits stress and promotes a positive work environment.

National Guard:

I whole heartily support the military. I know that your priority is to keep everyone safe. I understand you may or may not have had clear orders. That day, you were in a tough position. Your job and working in a prison are some of the most difficult jobs anyone can do, however, the result should have been to keep everyone safe.

My professional opinion:

Mr.Nantwi was 22 years old. He had severe behavioral health issues. He wasn’t on his medication. My professional opinion:

1. He’s 22, and his frontal lobe wasn’t developed, therefore, he’s irrational and doesn’t have the best reasoning skills. He has a difficult time with sympathy and empathy right now. Logic is also very difficult due to the frontal lobe still developing.
2. Why didn’t he have his medication? He didn’t take it, or he wasn’t given his medication? Individuals on psychotropic medications need to be monitored all the time. I understand that prisons like to give “all one size fits all” kind of medications. This means that everyone gets the medications, and that doesn’t work, because people are different with different problems. These individuals need to be seen more than every 6 months.
3.  Most of the time when there is that much of a “severe behavioral health issue,” there is usually a cognitive delay. Not saying I know him one for sure; however, if he did, that complicated the issues even more.
4. So why did he run to the bathroom?  He ran to the bathroom because he didn’t understand what was going on. After all, no one had explained, and he didn’t want anyone going through his possessions. I call them “his possessions” because, to him, that is what they were.
5. He had so many new people, ie, the National Guard and new guards, and probably so many changes that he didn’t understand what was going on, and no one took 5 minutes to say,” hey, we need to go through your cell. Is that ok”?
6. Or when he ran to the bathroom, no one went in and asked, “hey, what’s going on”?  “Why are you crying”?  “Everything is ok. I know there has been a lot of change, and if you don’t have anything in your cell, nothing will be taken out and you will be able to go back in there in a minute”.
7. Five minutes before entering his cell, just asking him or telling him what was going to happen would have made things so different.

Now I know some of you will say, ” I don’t have time to hold someone’s hand or go around warning people”. Well, considering the other alternative, the rest of your life in prison, I think you could make the time.

Training and a new prison system:

I say this all the time. If the guards had more training than the 7-week training that is required to become a guard, perhaps the deaths of inmates would not be happening. If the prison designed a system that is updated and modern, that might create a less violent environment, stop the revolving door, take control away from the inmates.  Creating a new system would also make the inmates more responsible and accountable for their actions.

 Was this avoidable?

Yes, 100%!  All of this could have been avoided in many ways. Not just with Mr. Nantwi,  but with Mr.. Brooks and the 5 lives, as well. It can be avoided in every prison in every state. This is always a senseless and tragic loss.

My sincere condolences to Mr. Nantwi’s family for your loss.

I love all the comments I receive. If you have a comment or story that you would like me to write about, please let me know. Until next time.