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Category: Custodial Death

Lafourche Parish Inmate Andrew Moity is Placed on Life Support

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3d interior Jail

Andrew Moity, 44, has been an inmate in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex since the Louisiana State Police arrested him on December 27, 2022. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced online this week that on July 6, 2025, Mr. Moity suffered a medical emergency and was placed on life support. A local hospital is providing his ongoing care.

At about 5:15 a.m. on Sunday, Mr. Moity was observed standing alone in his cell by correctional officers at the jail, as confirmed by video surveillance. Fifteen minutes later, an officer discovered that Mr. Moity was slumped over and unresponsive. The officer called for help and an ambulance. Lifesaving measures began immediately, provided by additional officers and jail medical staff. Emergency medical technicians arrived and, at 6:15 a.m., departed from Mr. Moity’s dormitory to transport him by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was placed on life support.

An investigation of the incident is ongoing.

Life support being a form of medical intervention that replaces or supports failing body functions, hopefully Mr. Moity will somehow recover and another tragic jail death will be avoided.

Dillon Bakke Died Due to Alleged Medical Neglect in Ramsey County Jail

Thirty-seven-year-old Dillon Bakke was arrested and booked into Ramsey County Jail on August 7, 2022. During intake, Mr. Bakke had a conspicuous forehead injury. Later that day, after his complaints of pain were ignored, Mr. Bakke began yelling in pain. Instead of providing medical aid, the jail had a different response. Officers entered Mr. Bakke’s cell, handcuffed him, and then carried him to a segregation cell after he said he couldn’t stand or walk.

After Mr. Bakke was continually denied medical treatment for two days, he was found unresponsive in his cell on August 9. He was transported to Regions Hospital, where medical professionals discovered that Mr. Bakke had brain injuries and cerebral hemorrhaging. Mr. Bakke was pronounced deceased at the hospital on August 27, 2022.

It was documented in Mr. Bakke’s jail
medical files that he had hemophilia. Blood doesn’t clot normally with this condition. Information about his prescribed medication for hemophilia and instructions had been provided to the jail.

In March 2023, a former Ramsey County Jail nurse sent an email to the Department of Corrections (DOC) alleging that Mr. Bakke showed apparent signs of injury and trauma and that the jail failed to provide proper care.

The case was reviewed by the Inspections and Enforcement Unit, and two rule violations were found and substantiated. The violations pertained to well-being checks on the inmate and clinical judgments that were made.

Ramsey County Jail’s address is 425 Grove St., Saint Paul, MN 55101. The jail has an inmate capacity of 500.

Stats are Removed that Show Thousands of Jail Inmates in NYC Miss Medical Appointments

The monthly online reports showing that thousands of inmates in NYC continually miss medical appointments have been scrubbed by the Corrections Department in New York. This data showed, for example, that NYC jail staff failed to bring detainees to more than 6,700 medical appointments in January 2022. The number in December 2021 was even higher, at 7,070 missed medical appointments.

This story is indicative of a widespread problem in U.S. jails that costs many lives annually. As is often the case, patterns in some jails expose exactly what is happening in most jails around the country. More needs to be done to ensure that inmates in county and city jails receive necessary medical care. It is their constitutional right.

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smchugh

Jeffrey Kluver, 35, Dies on Day 2 in the Baltimore Jail

Front of Jail Cell

A Maryland news source reported that Jeffrey Kluver, 35, was booked into the Baltimore jail complex in the Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Center (BCBIC) on July 5, 2025. Tragically, he was discovered unresponsive the next day and, shortly after, was pronounced deceased on July 6, 2025. The information was provided by spokesman Keith Martucci for the entity responsible for operating the jails and state prisons in Baltimore, namely, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Mr. Martucci also said that no foul play is suspected, and the cause of Mr. Kluver’s death remains under investigation and is pending the results of an autopsy.

The corrections department in Maryland only notifies the public of custodial deaths involving homicide. Families of detainees who have died in Maryland jails frequently report that getting answers about the death of their loved one is difficult.

The address of Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Center is 300 E Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21202. The jail’s maximum inmate capacity is 959.

US Jails with a Reputation for a Culture of Death

It is a good thing to raise awareness when jail facilities have an alarmingly disproportionate number of inmate deaths. However, it is tragic that a culture of death seems to exist in many jail systems. Concerns multiply when these jails are found underreporting custodial deaths or habitually reporting them months after the state’s deadline. Information follows about one of many US jail systems known for high numbers of inmate deaths.

Los Angeles County Jails, California

On July 4, 2025, a 41-year-old woman died in the custody of a Los Angeles County jail. She became the 101st person since the start of 2023 to die in an LA County jail. The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) has delved into the death toll and what’s behind it in the nation’s largest jail system. They have found that several factors contribute to the disturbing death toll in LA jails, as follows:

  • Severe overcrowding
  • Inadequate medical care
  • Gross neglect
  • Pervasive mistreatment of inmates

Three Inmates Die in Los Angeles County Jails in Just Over a Week

The push by activists to close the Men’s Central Jail in downtown LA has been renewed due to recent deaths at that facility. Alarmingly, three inmates died in LA County jails in approximately one week in March 2023, and at least one of them was at Men’s Central Jail. It is difficult to come by details of custodial deaths in California. Vera produced a list of the names and numbers of inmates who died each month in 2023. In May of that year, 7 detainees died in LA jails. All 7 were males, and the youngest was Kamren Nettles. More about Mr. Nettles’ death in an LA jail is below.

  • Kamren Nettles, 19, was an inmate at Men’s Central Jail in downtown LA when he died from a fentanyl overdose. At 1:30 a.m. on May 13, 2023, Mr. Nettles returned to his cell after watching TV in another inmate’s cell. A deputy who was checking on the 19-year-old discovered him on the bottom bunk of a cell 30 minutes later. Mr. Nettles was unresponsive, with foam and blood coming from his nose and mouth. Deputies administered Narcan in an effort to resuscitate him. Kamren Nettles was pronounced deceased at 3 a.m. that same morning.
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smchugh

Gray County Jail is Non-Compliant with a Rule on Supervision

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Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted a special jail inspection at Gray County Jail in Pampa, Texas, on June 24, 2025. When they reviewed documentation and video evidence after a custodial death, the inspectors discovered that while jailers made observation rounds, the jailers did not view the inmate face-to-face as required by minimum jail standards.

Gray County Jail is now on the TCJS website for non-compliance with one jail standard.

The address of the Gray County Jail is 218 N Russell in Pampa, Texas 79065. The Pampa jail has a 78-inmate capacity.

Oklahoma County Detention Center Missed Sight Checks for Inmates on Suicide Watch

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) inspected the Oklahoma County Detention Center and found a slew of deficiencies. Among them was a rodent infestation, inmates who were forced to sleep on floors, and missed sight checks. The date of the inspection report is December 11, 2024. A few months before that, OSDH inspectors were not permitted by the jail staff to enter the jail when they showed up for a surprise inspection. A staff shortage was the reason given for the denial of entry.

The OSDH inspectors were not provided with a log of face-to-face observation checks for six detainees who died in the jail’s custody from February through December 2024. Details follow about one custodial death:

  • Lashala Taulbee-Pratt died in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on September 20, 2023. A review of sight checks for her death revealed that six face-to-face checks were missing.

Denton County Jail Fails an Inspection with an Inmate Death Involved

Denton County Jail failed an inspection for failure to conduct proper face-to-face observations of 53-year-old Helen Renee Jackson. Ms. Jackson was booked into the Denton County Jail on three separate occasions. She was last booked into the jail in November 2021.

Shortly before Ms. Jackson’s death, video footage captured jail staff scanning the electronic sensor to meet the requirement for completing the observation checks but they were not checking her face-to-face in the holding cell as required by minimum jail standards.

A video shows that at 5:10 a.m. on December 29, 2021, Ms. Jackson lay down on the floor in the middle of the cell and stopped moving at approximately 5:13 a.m. The next observation check was supposedly made at 5:32 a.m. but without seeing Ms. Jackson face-to-face. Finally, at 5:37 a.m., a staff member checked on Ms. Jackson and called for emergency medical services. Helen Jackson was pronounced deceased at 6:35 a.m. on December 29, 2021.

None of the jail staff lost their job in connection with the failed observation rounds, per Assistant Chief Barry Caver, acting jail administrator.

The address of Denton County Jail is 127 N Woodrow Ln # 300, Denton, TX 76205. The jail has an inmate capacity of 1,788.

Caring Legal Support for Jail Custody Deaths

County jails and detention facilities are legally responsible for safeguarding the health and safety of those they hold. If you’ve lost a loved one while they were in county jail custody—whether because of possible medical neglect, abuse, or a suicide that could have been prevented—the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. is ready to stand with you. Our firm has extensive experience with wrongful death claims tied to jail conditions and is dedicated to helping families demand accountability and justice.

We’re here to listen and guide you forward. Reach out to us anytime by phone, text, or through our secure online form to find out whether we can assist.

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smchugh

Saniyah Cheatham Dies After Only Hours in a NYPD Jail Cell in the Bronx

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Saniyah Cheatham, 18, was arrested on July 4, 2025, and placed in a jail cell in the New York Police Department’s (NYPD’s) 41st Precinct in the Bronx. The NYPD informed CBS News in a statement that at approximately 12:40 a.m. on July 5, 2025, police called emergency medical services (EMS) for an 18-year-old unconscious female prisoner (Ms. Cheatham) at the Bronx police station. While awaiting the EMS response, multiple officers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The young woman was transported by ambulance to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

NYPD said its Force Investigation Division is investigating the death of Saniyah Cheatham. An autopsy has been performed, and the cause of death is pending, a spokeswoman for the city medical examiner said.

Two law enforcement officers with no authorization to speak about the matter had knowledge about the case. They told a reporter that at 12:15 a.m., Ms. Cheatham used her sweater to hang herself in her cell. Officials later said that within two minutes, Ms. Cheatham removed her sweater and used it to hang herself. Officers discovered Ms. Cheatham during a routine cell check at 12:40 a.m.

Thomasina Cheatham, the deceased’s mother, says she got a call that her daughter and her friend were arrested for fighting earlier and that her daughter was discovered unresponsive in her cell. She said that just hours prior to that she and her daughter were hanging out and enjoying their time together on the holiday weekend.

The address of Bronx Central Booking, an NYPD jail for the Bronx, is 215 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451. There are several other jail facilities in the Bronx, as well.

Why Aren’t Inmates Better Protected Against Suicide?

Research on jail suicides has repeatedly found that the first 24 to 48 hours of confinement carry a high risk for suicide. Approximately 30% of all deaths in county and city jails are suicides, making it the leading cause of death in those venues. Hanging is the method most commonly used in jail suicides, as much as 90% of the time.

Perhaps the fact that jails often have staffing problems is the biggest reason more isn’t done to prevent suicides. Paying attention to the predictable timing of suicides suggests greater supervision is needed. Care could be given to ensure that items that could be used for hanging aren’t accessible to potentially suicidal detainees.

A 50-Year-Old Inmate Hangs Himself in Bexar County Jail

On February 22, 2025, a 50-year-old man was arrested on drug charges and was then booked into Bexar County Jail. A week later, at approximately 2:02 p.m., a CODE 1 blue was initiated in unit CB due to observing the inmate inside his cell with a sheet wrapped around his neck. Jail staff responded and found the inmate in a seated position with the sheet attached to the sink.

Lifesaving measures were started, and he was transported by ambulance to the University Hospital for further treatment. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased by a hospital physician at 7:55 p.m. His manner of death was suicide, and the medical cause was asphyxia by hanging.

Bexar County Jail is at 200 N Comal St, San Antonio, TX 78207. The Bexar County Adult Detention Center has an inmate capacity of 5,075.

 

 

 

 

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smchugh

Callen Lines Dies After Incarceration in a San Diego County Jail

Front of Jail Cell

Callen Lines, 31, was arrested and booked into Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility on May 11, 2025, according to a news source. The next night, at 7:25, Ms. Lines was discovered unresponsive inside her jail cell, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on Ms. Lines by jail staff until Santee Fire Department paramedics arrived. The paramedics took over lifesaving measures and transported Ms. Lines to a hospital. Tragically, Callen Lines was pronounced deceased at 8:15 p.m. on May 12, 2025.

To be sure all aspects of the incident are examined, a thorough investigation is being conducted by the sheriff’s Homicide Unit.

The address of Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in San Diego County is 451 Riverview Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071. The jail has a bed capacity that will accommodate 1,216 detainees.

What are the Primary Reasons Inmates Die in Local U.S. Jails?

Many custodial deaths have demonstrated that even a brief stay in a county or municipal jail can be deadly. Why are these seemingly unlikely tragedies occurring? After all, this is America, where brushes with the law shouldn’t be something to fear.

The following are some statistics from an Annual Jail Death Review in Virginia that covers data from 2022-2024:

  • Forty-eight (48) jail deaths were reported in CY24, which is a 6% increase from the previous year.
  • Fifty-one (51) deaths were reported in CY23, which is a 25% decrease from the previous year.
  • Sixty-eight (68) deaths were reported in CY22, a 14% increase from the previous year.
  • Natural causes were the manner of death of 24 inmates in 2022, 17 inmates in 2023, and 20 inmates in 2023.
  • Suicide was the cause of death of 20 inmates in 2022, 18 inmates in 2023, and 8 in 2024.
  • Accident (Overdose) was the cause of death of 17 inmates in 2022, 13 inmates in 2023, and 4 inmates in 2024.
  • Due to a large number of pending autopsy reports for CY24, a comparison of causes of death was performed only for CY22 and CY23.
  • Of natural deaths that occurred in CY22, most (a total of 7) were due to pulmonary diseases or disorders.
  • Suicide was the leading manner of death in CY23. Seventeen (17) of the suicides were due to hanging and one (1) was due to suffocation with rebreathing.
  • Nineteen (19) of the CY22 suicides were due to hanging and one (1) was due to neck compression by ligatures.
  • In CY23, cardiovascular diseases or disorders were the leading cause of natural deaths among inmates in Virginia jails, at a total of eight (8).

The Leading Cause of Death of U.S. Jail Detainees is Suicide

Although many experts in criminal justice believe that jail suicides are often preventable deaths, suicide is the number one cause of death in county and municipal jails in the U.S. The following are among the factors recognized as contributing to jail suicides:

  • Prevalence of mental health issues among the individuals detained.
  • A large percentage of jail inmates have substance use disorders, which can increase the risk of suicidal behavior.
  • Incarceration is a high-stress event that can be extremely traumatic, especially for those experiencing it for the first time.
  • The shock of confinement means a disruption of life, a loss of freedom, and isolation.

 

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smchugh

A 40-Year-Old Woman Dies in Brookline Police Custody MA

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Close-up of a jail cell door.

In Massachusetts news, on July 5, 2025, a 40-year-old woman whose name has not been released was in the Brookline Police Department’s custody when she was found unresponsive but breathing. Per the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, a police officer was the one who discovered her in her unresponsive state at about 2:30 p.m. Police officers were followed by medics from Brookline Fire and Coastal Ambulance in the effort to resuscitate the woman. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Authorities found no obvious signs of trauma to the woman’s body. An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of her death. An investigation into the tragic incident is being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police.

The address of the Brookline Police Department is 350 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445.

Deaths Occur After Encounters with the Police

Law enforcement is necessary to enjoy a free society. But when police officers step over the line, it is in our best interest to hold them accountable. Excessive force and assault are just two of many illegal acts that police officers are sometimes found guilty of. There is no shortage of news about questionable police encounters that end in a death. The following are two of those stories:

Bernie Russo Dies After an Encounter with the New York State Police

Forty-seven-year-old Bernie Russo died in the early morning hours of July 1, 2025, shortly after New York State Police put him in handcuffs. At about 12:45 a.m., Troopers had gone to his home on a report of a domestic dispute that involved a knife. It was reported that Mr. Russo made threats to police and was armed with an unspecified weapon.

Mr. Russo was instructed to step outside because he was being disruptive inside the home, making loud noises and banging things around. Police say that Mr. Russo emerged holding an unknown object, which he dropped on command. He then dropped to the ground and appeared to have a manic episode. For everyone’s safety and due to a pending domestic charge, officers placed Mr. Russo in handcuffs.

Emergency medical services were called to check on Mr. Russo’s condition. While officers were waiting, Mr. Russo became unresponsive. The police provided lifesaving measures, and then ambulance medics continued the effort. Tragically, Mr. Russo was pronounced deceased. Police notified the New York State Attorney General’s Office of the death. An investigation into Mr. Russo’s death is ongoing.

Jose Luis Naranjo Cortez Dies After an Encounter with Fullerton Police in California

On April 20, 2025, 46-year-old Jose Luis Naranjo Cortez was seen holding a smoldering cardboard box near Lemon Park when officers with the Fullerton Police Department attempted to detain him. It required the efforts of several officers to place the man in handcuffs. Mr. Cortez allegedly bit an officer, after which a spit hood was placed on him.

Allegedly, a police officer was heard saying to another officer that he punched the man twice.

Mr. Cortez stopped responding after several minutes in custody. Paramedics were called because he appeared to be having a medical emergency. Mr. Cortez was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The incident is under investigation by the Orange County District Attorney.

The address of the Fullerton Police Department is 237 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832.

 

 

 

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smchugh

Charles Adair Dies Within 24 hours in a Kansas Jail

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Charles L. Adair, 50, was arrested on July 4, 2025, for failing to appear on multiple traffic violations. He was then booked into Wyandotte County Adult Detention Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Tragically, he died in the jail the next day. Per this news report, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has reported some of its initial findings about the possible cause of Mr. Adair’s death.

According to the KBI, medical staff discovered that Mr. Adair was unresponsive in his cell at 8:30 p.m. on July 5. Lifesaving measures were attempted, but emergency responders pronounced Charles Adair deceased just before 9:20 p.m. on July 5.

With further investigation, the KBI found that just before being discovered unresponsive, Mr. Adair had received medical care for a pre-existing wound on his leg. After receiving the treatment, however, he reportedly resisted being returned to his cell. He refused to comply with commands and physically resisted sheriff’s deputies. As a result, he was handcuffed and returned to his cell, where he was placed on the bottom bunk.

KBI’s investigation found that Mr. Adair continued to resist as the deputies were attempting to remove his handcuffs. After a continued struggle, the handcuffs were finally removed, and deputies left the cell. Just minutes later, medical staff went into the cell to evaluate Mr. Adair, and that was when he was found unresponsive. No obvious signs of physical injury to Mr. Adair resulting from the struggle with jail deputies were found, KBI agents said. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the deceased’s cause of death, and investigations are ongoing.

The address of Wyandotte County Adult Detention Center is 710 7th St, Kansas City, KS 66101. The jail’s inmate capacity is 430.

Inmates Die After Struggling with County Jailers

Detainees in county jails are often found unresponsive after struggling with deputies, and the struggles frequently involve tasers and handcuffs or other restraints, such as restraint chairs. Details of related stories follow:

Tarrant County Jail, Fort Worth, Texas

Thirty-one-year-old former Marine Anthony Johnson died on April 21, 2024, after an altercation with jailers in Tarrant County. An investigation into Mr. Johnson’s death found that after a 2- to 3-minute struggle with jail staff, he was wrestled to the floor. While handcuffing Mr. Johnson, a deputy placed his knee on the inmate’s back for about 90 seconds. Mr. Johnson had also been pepper-sprayed during the altercation. His death on his third day in Tarrant County Jail was eventually ruled a homicide due to suffocation. The address of Tarrant County Jail is 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196.

Clayton County Jail, Jonesboro, Georgia

A video released to the public shows that Clayton County inmate Terry Lee Thurmond had a fractured arm when five jailers pinned him face-down to the ground. Just prior, in the struggle that lasted an hour, he had been shocked with a stun gun. He was left lifeless with no help for 20 minutes before emergency medical officials arrived, to no avail. It was his second day in the jail’s custody.

An autopsy showed that Mr. Thurmond suffered a heart attack during his struggle with jailers and other inmates. His death was ruled a homicide. The address of Clayton County Jail is 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196.

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William Deboer, 43, Dies in Jefferson County Jail, CO

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Forty-three-year-old William Edward Deboer was arrested and booked into Golden, Colorado’s Jefferson County Jail on June 30, 2025. At approximately 2 p.m. on July 3, 2025, a detention deputy discovered Mr. Deboer unresponsive in his cell. Five doses of Narcan were administered to Mr. Deboer over the next five minutes while deputies and medical staff were providing continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Fire department personnel and emergency medical services (EMS) arrived to continue lifesaving efforts, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Tragically, William Deboer was pronounced deceased at 2:38 p.m. on July 3.

Mr. Deboer’s death is being investigated by the First Judicial District Law Enforcement Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The cause of death will be determined by the coroner’s office.

The address of Jefferson County Jail is 200 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80419. The jail has a 1,392-inmate capacity.

US Jail Statistics: Deaths from Withdrawal and Intoxication

The number of deaths from withdrawal and intoxication within US jails has significantly increased in recent years. The progression for the period included in this study follows:

  • In 2000, 4% of jail deaths were attributed to drug or alcohol intoxication.
  • In 2019, 15% of jail deaths were due to drug or alcohol intoxication.
  • From 2000 to 2019, the number of jail detainees whose deaths were attributed to drug or alcohol intoxication increased by nearly 400%.
  • Withdrawal deaths are reported less frequently in jail, but, according to the Department of Justice, withdrawal is a potentially fatal risk.
  • According to one study, in 76% of withdrawal-related deaths in US jails, alcohol was involved.
  • In other withdrawal deaths studied, opioids were the drugs most commonly involved.

The way that jails categorize deaths related to withdrawal often falls into generic lines, such as, “other” or “illness,” making jail withdrawal deaths difficult to identify. Several factors related to withdrawal deaths highlight the importance of mortality data.

Are Jails Prepared to Meet Demands for Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

Although mortality data from jails often doesn’t show an accurate picture of withdrawal deaths and alcohol and drug intoxication deaths, statistics overall indicate that county and municipal jails are often ill-equipped to prevent them.

An Inmate Dies of Withdrawal Symptoms at a Jefferson County, Arkansas, Jail

Rebecca Brixey, 45, was arrested on public intoxication charges in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Eight days later, on December 8, 2019, she was discovered deceased in her cell at the WC Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center. Authorities say that her cause of death was complications of withdrawal syndrome. The address of WC Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center is 300 E 2nd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.

Importance of Medical Supervision for Inmates When in Withdrawal

If a person is withdrawing from substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines, it is especially crucial to seek medical supervision. There is a real potential for life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Monitoring for signs of dehydration is crucial, for instance. Intravenous rehydration can prevent serious complications and death. Dehydration is particularly dangerous during withdrawal for several reasons, as follows:

  • The volume of cells shrinks if severe dehydration occurs, resulting in cellular death and damage to tissues and organs.
  • Dehydration can cause hypernatremia during opiate withdrawal. Blood sodium levels become too high if a person has hypernatremia. What happens is fluids are pulled away from vital organs, and the potential results are seizures, heart failure, brain damage, and death.

 

 

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Sommervell County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance

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3d interior Jail

As a result of findings in a special jail inspection on June 20, 2025, the Sommervell County Jail has been cited for non-compliance. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) now lists the Glen Rose, Texas, jail on its website with other non-compliant jails. TCJS inspectors found that Sommervell County Jail violated one minimum jail standard in the chapter on recreation and exercise. Inspectors indicated the following about the violation:

  • In the month of January 2025, 6 of 9 housing units and 5 inmates in single housing were not offered physical exercise or physical recreation for 1 hour, 3 times per week as required. Virtually the same was found in March 2025 in a subsequent review, except that there were 6 inmates in single housing that missed out on exercise.

When a county or municipal jail fails to provide the required exercise for detainees, one concerning outcome is that it could increase the risk for mentally ill patients. Research shows that a strong link exists between mental health problems and physical inactivity. The risk of anxiety and depression is elevated when detainees lack physical activity. The already significant risk of suicide can worsen. Feelings of despair and hopelessness are exacerbated by a lack of exercise, and the potential for self-harm is heightened.

Sommervell County Jail’s address is 750 Bo Gibbs Blvd, Glen Rose, TX 76043. The jail has an inmate capacity of 24.

Inmates with Mental Health Issues in Local Jails Often Suffer Neglect and Abuse

News stories often reveal that mentally ill inmates in county and municipal jails have died from jail neglect and abuse. Studies have found that 44% of inmates in local jails have a history of mental health problems. This is approximately twice the prevalence of mental health problems in the general adult population.

Some jails are not set up to cater sufficiently to the needs of the mentally ill, judging from horrendous outcomes that far too frequently occur.

Meaningful and Results-Driven Support for Jail Death Cases

Correctional facilities are legally required to protect the health and safety of everyone in their care. If you believe a loved one’s death in a county jail resulted from medical neglect, mistreatment, or abuse, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. is ready to help you seek answers. Our experienced team focuses specifically on cases involving deaths in jail custody and fights to uphold the rights of inmates and their families.

Don’t wait to get help—reach out to us anytime by phone, text, or through our secure online form.

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smchugh

Inmate Ginez Stephanie Joanna Dies in Bexar County Jail

Front of Jail Cell

Ginez Stephanie Joanna, 36, was booked into the Bexar County Jail on June 22, 2025, on a drug offense. Tragically, Ms. Joanna died in the jail approximately 78 hours later. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Joanna on July 2, 2025.

Per the CDR, Ms. Joanna appeared to be intoxicated on alcohol or drugs, and she exhibited medical problems during the booking process. She was placed in a multiple occupancy cell.

On June 25, 2025, at about 6:25 p.m., a code 1 blue was initiated in Unit 1 Bravo. In Unit 1B, Deputy Veronica Vargas identified Ms. Joanna as being unresponsive and not breathing. Inmate Joanna was on her side covered with her county issued blanket. SERT Cpl. Martinez removed the blanket from Ms. Joanna and verified what Deputy Vargas had said.

Ms. Joanna was placed on her back and moved to the floor. Lifesaving measures were initiated by medical staff. Cpl. Martinez administered the first dose of Narcan at approximately 6:26 p.m. Medical staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) to be called. At 6:28 p.m., Cpl. Brandon Copeland called 9-1-1. A second dose of Narcan was administered to Ms. Joanna by medical staff at 6:29 p.m. The San Antonio Fire Department arrived at unit 1 Bravo at 6:43 p.m. Paramedic J. Long #1343 pronounced Ginez Stephanie Joanna deceased at approximately 6:47 p.m.

Bexar County Jail, aka Bexar County Adult Detention Center, is at 200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. The jail’s inmate capacity is 5,075 detainees.

A Man in Valley Jail Dies in Withdrawal After Multiple Falls

It is not rare for inmates in county and municipal jails to go through withdrawals due to the sudden cessation of a drug or alcohol habit. The jails must be prepared to meet the needs of these detainees. It is a fundamental right to be given access to necessary medical care. With treatments available, the reality is that many withdrawal deaths in jails are preventable.

In March 2025, 55-year-old Steven Miller was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and placed in Valley Jail. Mr. Miller informed the medical staff 16 hours after he went through the intake process that he was a heroin user and was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Purportedly, the staff provided treatment and released him to return to the holding cell where he was housed. Two days passed, and at 5 a.m. on March 11, Mr. Miller can be seen on video collapsing and striking his head on a nearby toilet and the concrete floor.

A brutal series of events is also captured on video in which Mr. Miller repeatedly falls, violently striking his head each time. By the time help arrived, it was too late. He was pronounced deceased about an hour after the first collapse.

Need Legal Help After Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being held in a local jail does not strip someone of their basic civil rights. When detainees suffer jail neglect or a denial of essential medical care, those failures must not go unchallenged.

If you suspect that neglect or abuse contributed to the death of a loved one while in custody, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. is here to help. Our firm concentrates on cases involving deaths in detention and has extensive experience with these challenging and emotional cases.

Call, text, or use our secure online form to request a free consultation today.

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smchugh
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