Family Members File a Wrongful Death Suit Regarding Sharon Alexander, who was Denied her Asthma Inhaler in a County Jail
On December 14, 2016, 41-year-old Sharon Lavette Alexander of Little Rock, Arkansas, died within about a day of incarceration at Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock. She had been booked into custody the day before her death. When she was processed into the jail, her asthma inhaler was taken from her and not returned. Acute exacerbation of asthma was ultimately determined by an autopsy to be the cause of her death. A federal wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Alexander’s family in January 2018. Several entities and individuals are being sued in connection with the custodial death.
Alexander’s death happened about two weeks after Turn Key Health Clinics out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, had been given charge over medical operations for the jail. Her death initiated a change at the jail regarding prisoner property—asthma inhalers, in particular—according to a spokesperson for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Previously, a prisoner’s inhaler was to be examined for contraband within 24 hours of admittance to jail. The new policy requires deputies to inspect a prisoner’s inhaler immediately and return it immediately, as long as no contraband is discovered.
On the day of her death, three prisoners assisted Alexander down a flight of stairs, according to Deputy Eddie Turner. He said that she was shaking and had been vomiting. He got a chair for her and called for help from the infirmary. A licensed practical nurse arrived within about 30 minutes. The nurse said a “sick call request” had to be placed in a box, and she would be checked on the following day. Alexander was then assisted back up the stairs by other prisoners. They filled out the request and said that her asthma pump was needed ASAP, the suit claims.
Alexander spoke to her husband that morning and that night, telling him that she had never received her asthma inhaler. The last time he spoke to her, she said she didn’t think she would live through the ordeal. Later that night, she began convulsing. Another prisoner banged for assistance, due to her distress. A medical emergency was declared at 7:58 p.m. In spite of lifesaving efforts by the Fire Department, paramedics, and medical personnel at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Medical Center, Alexander died at 11:02 p.m.
Among the claims in the lawsuit is that Alexander’s medical needs were treated with gross negligence and deliberate indifference.
In Texas, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards investigates jails after a custodial death has occurred. They make inspections, often based on prisoner complaints. The most common complaint prisoners make is related to inadequate medical attention.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
–Guest Contributor
smchugh
smchugh