Kalief Browder was a young African American man from the Bronx, New York, whose tragic story became a symbol of the failures of the U.S. criminal justice system. In 2010, at the age of 16, Browder was arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack, a charge he vehemently denied. Unable to pay the $3,000 bail, he was sent to Rikers Island, a notorious New York City jail.

Browder spent approximately three years at Rikers, with about two of those years in solitary confinement, awaiting trial. Throughout his time in jail, he faced significant physical and mental abuse from both inmates and guards. Despite multiple court appearances, his trial was repeatedly delayed. Eventually, the charges against him were dropped, and he was released in 2013.

After his release, Browder struggled with the psychological impact of his incarceration. He suffered from depression and paranoia, experiencing severe mental health issues due to the trauma he endured. Despite seeking help and attempting to regain a sense of normalcy, Browder's mental health continued to deteriorate. Tragically, in June 2015, at the age of 22, he took his own life.

Browder's story garnered national attention and sparked outrage over the conditions in which he was held and the broader issues of bail reform, the treatment of juveniles in the criminal justice system, and the use of solitary confinement. His case was a catalyst for discussions on systemic reforms, leading to changes in New York City's bail system and heightened scrutiny of the conditions at Rikers Island .

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to contact me:

bobbycapucci@protonmail.com




Source:


https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/06/before-the-law