Sinclair Jones Jr. Dies After 22 Hours in a Beaumont TX Jail
Sinclair Jones, Jr., was booked into Jefferson County Jail at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2024. Tragically, he died approximately 22 hours later. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department filed the custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Jones on July 17, 2024, which was 17 days past the filing deadline. Mr. Jones was arrested on an alcohol/drug offense, and the jailer in charge of intake noted that he appeared to be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs and exhibited medical problems at that time.
The summary of how Mr. Jones’ death occurred is brief. It indicates that Officer Z. Holton was making security rounds and observed him in his infirmary isolation cell 09 on May 31, 2024, though the time was not given. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t blinking. She also noted that he did not appear to be breathing because his chest did not rise and fall. Officer Holton notified medical staff and lifesaving measures began. Mr. Jones was transported to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas, where he was pronounced deceased at 2:19 PM.
Jefferson County Correctional Facility aka Jefferson County Jail’s address is 5030 US-69, Beaumont, TX 77705. The Beaumont jail has a bed capacity of 1,147.
A Jefferson County Detainee on Detox Protocols Dies Within 4 Days
When a 31-year-old female detainee went through intake at Jefferson County Jail in February 2020, she was noted as being in the same condition as Mr. Sinclair, as stated above. A Port Arthur hospital had medically cleared her for jail, and she was placed on detox protocols for a heroin addiction.
The CDR indicates that the inmate was treated for asthma symptoms on her third day. Afterward, she was returned to the holding cell where she was housed. Within about 3 hours she was found unresponsive, and she was declared deceased a short time later. Results of an autopsy showed that chronic narcotism, or habitual use of narcotics, was a contributing factor in causing her death.
Are Jails Required to Provide Withdrawal Treatments to Inmates in Detox?
Withdrawal deaths are generally considered preventable. However, per the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), opioid withdrawal syndrome is a life-threatening condition if not treated appropriately.
It is reasonable to ask questions to determine whether a deceased detainee received the treatment needed when going through detox. In the case of mild opioid withdrawal, it is recommended that a person drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily to replace fluids that are lost through sweat and diarrhea. Vitamin B and C supplements should also be provided.
For moderate to severe opioid withdrawal, several opioid medications are known to be effective. Treatment could include clonidine, methadone, buprenorphine, or codeine phosphate.
Seeking Assistance for Jail Medical Neglect?
If you have faced severe issues or if a loved one suffered death due to jail medical neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. Pretrial detainees have a constitutional right to adequate healthcare. Jail officials can be held accountable for showing deliberate indifference to inmates’ medical needs. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form.
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