Malcolm Boatwright, 28, died this morning at Bellevue Hospital after experiencing a “medical issue” at a jail facility on Rikers Island, according to corrections authorities. The city’s medical examiner is currently probing the cause of his death.

“This is a heartbreaking loss at the end of a very difficult year. My deepest sympathy goes out to Mr. Boatwright’s loved ones,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi.

Boatwright had been in Department of Correction custody for little under a month, arrested on charges of sexual abuse. On November 12th, a Brooklyn judge ordered a psychiatric exam in his case, court records show.

Boatwright’s passing marks the fifteenth death of a person incarcerated in New York City in 2021, making this year the deadliest in New York City jails since 2016. Five of the deaths were suicides. Two of the 15 took place outside of DOC custody because courts granted compassionate release before the detainees’ deaths.

In September, Isaabdul Karim, 42, passed away on Rikers Island due to health issues. While the primary cause of his death is unknown, his attorneys say he contracted COVID-19 while languishing in an intake area for more than a week. The next month, Victor Mercado, 64, passed away at a hospital after contracting the virus, according to his attorney and a jail medical staffer.

Over the last year, Rikers Island and other New York City jails have descended into violence and despair as hundreds of corrections officers called out sick or failed to show up to work. Authorities have been unable to carry out basic jail operations, including health care services, as a result.

Jail authorities say conditions have marginally improved in recent weeks as they have cut down on staff absenteeism and had to force fewer officers to work triple shifts as a result. Between July and November of this year, city jails saw an 11% decrease in use of force compared to the same period in the five months before. During this time, the jails also experienced a 12% drop in the assault rate against staff. The average stabbing and slashing rate also declined by 12%, according to Department of Correction Officials.

Boatwright’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.