Terri Sandefur is the 2nd to Die in Tom Green County Jail Within a Week
On October 12, 2024, at age 59, Terri Yvette Sandefur went through intake at Tom Green County Jail. Tragically, Ms. Sandefur died a week later.
The custodial death report (CDR) filed on November 13, 2024, by the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Department reveals that Ms. Sandefur died by suicide on October 20, 2024. Another inmate of Tom Green County Jail died of a medical condition five days earlier.
Year after year, suicide is the leading cause of inmate deaths in county and municipal jails. Mandatory special training for all jail staff is aimed at suicide prevention. Intake personnel are required to receive extra training in order to assess whether detainees show signs of being at risk for suicide. During Ms. Sandefur’s booking process, the intake officer noticed that she exhibited mental health problems, which is one of the indicators of potential suicide. Ms. Sandefur allegedly did not make suicidal statements, however.
Tom Green County Jail is at 4382 N US Hwy 277, San Angelo, TX 76905, and the inmate capacity is 1,001.
Statistics Reveal Trends of Inmate Suicides in Local Jails
A report on suicides in local jails as well as state and federal correctional facilities was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2021. The results raise concerns and should put all jails and prisons on high alert. Suicides have recently increased substantially in jails. Sadly, the figures mirror a nationwide trend, with suicide rates since 2019 increasing by more than 30% in 25 states. Suicide is now a leading cause of death in the U.S., in addition to continuing to be the leading cause of death in local jails.
The following are among the findings about suicides in local U.S. jails:
- From 2001 to 2019, suicides accounted for 24% to 35% of deaths among local jail detainees (compared to 5% to 8% of all deaths in state and federal prison).
- A total of 355 local jail inmates died by suicide in 2019, which made up 50% of the total number of suicides in correctional facilities.
- Males accounted for 90% of the jail suicides from 2000 to 2019. During this period, female inmate suicides rose by almost 65%
- Inmates with no convictions made up almost 77% of those who died by suicide in county and municipal U.S. jails from 2000 to 2019.
Pursuing Justice for a Death Caused by Jail Neglect
Being incarcerated does not mean losing fundamental civil rights. If you suspect your loved one died in a U.S. jail due to medical neglect, it’s vital to take immediate action. Reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone today. Our experienced team works exclusively on cases involving custodial deaths in the interest of jail accountability and justice for affected families.
We also advocate for former inmates who have endured life-altering injuries as a result of neglect or abuse while incarcerated. Contact us 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form. We are here to provide support and remain dedicated to asserting inmates’ rights.
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