Lubbock County Jail Detainee Lee Bolden Dies on 12/25/24
On December 21, 2024, 64-year-old Lee Jerome Bolden was discovered with a weak pulse while he was still in the booking process at Lubbock County Jail, aka Lubbock County Detention Center. The intake officer had indicated that Mr. Bolden appeared intoxicated on drugs or alcohol and exhibited medical problems. The deputy who was completing paperwork on his entry had situated his body-worn camera in the window of the pre-booking holding cell to record Mr. Bolden.
It was after the deputy says he checked on the new detainee four to six times that jail medical staff entered the cell. After discovering his weak pulse, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was summoned, and Mr. Bolden was transported by ambulance to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased on Christmas Day 2024. His cause of death is unknown and awaiting autopsy results.
The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Bolden on January 10, 2025. The CDR reveals all the information above and indicates that he died of a pre-existing medical condition.
In the summary of how the death occurred, the CDR also describes the circumstances of Mr. Bolden’s arrest. He was found leaning into the rear cargo area of a vehicle with the rear hatch pulled down on his back. A patrol deputy wasn’t sure whether he was extremely intoxicated or having a medical event. Ultimately, Mr. Bolden was arrested for public intoxication after he had refused several times to allow EMS to take him to the hospital.
The address of the Lubbock County Detention Center is 3502 N Holly Ave, Lubbock, TX 79403. The bed capacity there is just over 1,500.
A Clear Case of Medical Neglect
It is unacceptable for detainees in U.S. jails to be treated cruelly and with complete indifference toward basic needs. Yet, medical neglect and abuse often occur in jails. In recent months, a story was released about the January 2023 custodial death of a 33-year-old man in a Walker County, Alabama, jail. The man was mentally handicapped, and jailers left him naked and without bedding in a concrete cell known to be notoriously cold in winter.
The man had also been ill, yet medical staff members admitted that they failed to provide medical care. One member of the medical staff said he was afraid there would be ramifications if he offered the man care because it was against the perceived prevailing culture in that facility. According to his death certificate, the causes of the detainee’s death were hypothermia and sepsis due to medical neglect.
Seeking Assistance for Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Being incarcerated in a city or county jail should never mean losing fundamental rights. When inmates in Texas experience mistreatment, such as being denied essential medical care, it’s crucial to hold those responsible accountable.
Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect neglect contributed to their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered life-altering injuries due to abuse or neglect? The Law Offices of Dean Malone may be able to assist. Our dedicated team focuses on cases involving custodial deaths, including jail suicides, and is experienced in addressing the unique challenges of inmate welfare and rights within the correctional system.
Reach out to us anytime for a free case evaluation. Contact us via phone, text, or through our online form—we’re available 24/7.
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