Dallas County Jail Inmate Andra Adkins Dies Within 21 Hours
Andra Lamont Adkins was arrested by officers with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department on March 10, 2025. He was booked into Dallas County Jail at 7:52 PM that night. Tragically, Mr. Adkins died just 21 hours later. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department filed the custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Adkins on March 20, 2025. The CDR reveals that Mr. Adkins had a pre-existing medical condition.
In the summary of how the death of Mr. Adkins occurred, we learn that at about 3:30 AM on March 11, 2025, jail staff observed him in the male holdover area. Mr. Adkins was pulling on the dialysis portal in his chest, causing him to bleed heavily. Jail staff immediately contacted the jail medical staff with Parkland Health, requesting that Mr. Adkins receive medical attention.
Parkland Health jail staff arrived and began lifesaving measures. After arriving at about 3:52 AM, Dallas Fire and Rescue transported Mr. Adkins by ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital at 3:57 AM. Dr. Morgan and Dr. Ho pronounced Mr. Adkins deceased at 4:58 AM on March 11.
Dr. Herndon, the Dallas County Medical Examiner, stated on March 12, 2025, that no autopsy would be performed on Mr. Adkins because he had several medical conditions. Mr. Adkins’ medical history was documented and included a history of heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and several other health conditions.
The address of Dallas County Jail aka Lew Sterrett Justice Center is 111 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX, 75027. The jail has an inmate capacity of approximately 7,000.
Can Jails Be Held Accountable for Foreseeable Suicides?
In county and municipal jails, suicide is the leading cause of death. Suicide prevention was included in the training of 62% of U.S. jail staff, according to a 2005-2006 study by the National Institute of Corrections (“NIC”). However, most of these training sessions were two hours or less. Therefore, a lack of sufficient training is likely a contributing factor to the ongoing prevalence of suicide in local jails.
Statistics provide clear insights and indicators regarding the potential timing of custodial suicides. Yet, inmates frequently die in predictable circumstances. For instance, a significant percentage of jail inmates who die by suicide hang themselves within the first 24 hours of incarceration. Likewise, overcrowding is known to increase incidents of violence, including self-harm and suicide.
Tragically, incidents of jail suicides are everyday news. Two recent stories follow, in brief:
- An inmate who hung himself on March 4, 2025, in Guilford County Detention Center in High Point, North Carolina, died from his injuries six days later, on March 11.
- A fire captain died on February 25, 2025, after hanging himself using a bedsheet at the Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa, Florida. He was not on suicide watch at the time.
Need Assistance with Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Being held in a local jail doesn’t mean losing your basic rights. When detainees are mistreated, such as being denied critical medical care, it’s important to hold those responsible accountable.
Have you lost a family member who was incarcerated and suspect that jail neglect or abuse played a role in their death? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have gained years of experience in cases involving custodial deaths.
Don’t delay. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form.
smchugh
smchugh