oklahoma county jail deaths 2021

Did we miss an incident or would you like to talk to us about one listed below? Solomon became ill at the jail and was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where he died a month later, according to the state Medical Examiner. A fifth "unannounced follow-up" health inspection of the Oklahoma County jail, conducted by the Oklahoma State Health Department on Oct. 12 found 24 repeat deficiencies cited in previous . 30-year-old Austin Bishop died Wednesday after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, according to the release. In the meantime, the current building and its management remain beset by the problems that prompted the need for a new jail in the first place. Between 2016 and 2019, the jails mortality rate was 4.77 deaths per 1,000 inmates. The first death of an Oklahoma County jailinmate this year occurredWednesday and is under investigation, according to a release from jail administration. Many of the dead were discovered unresponsive by staff making routine rounds. They moved her into an isolation cell to detox after she got into an altercation with another inmate. More: A new Oklahoma County jail has been proposed, but how will the county pay for it? She was transported to McCurtain Memorial Hospital and declared dead. Inmate deaths continue to mount, and calls for better oversight continue to grow louder from activists and officials alike. Blumert said its not uncommon for the county to face lawsuits filed by the relatives of those who have died at the jail, or inmates who have been injured there. Operation of the Oklahoma County Jail was transferred to the jail trust on July 1, 2020. a doctor declared Gonzales deceased at 4:57 p.m.The cause of death is unknown at this time.Gonzales was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on Oct. 16, 2021. The Department of Justice declined to comment or provide basic details on the status of its settlement with Oklahoma County. Friday, June 25th 2021, 7:56 pm. About 30 minutes later, Reagan appeared to again have a seizure. Most of Oklahoma Watchs content is available for republication by other news media in print and digital form. Because the Oklahoma County Jails design doesnt allow for direct supervision of inmates at all times by staff, they are monitored remotely by video cameras and during regular rounds through the facility. Yalartai had not been checked in almost 12 hours . . Brad Lane screamed for help repeatedly the night he was beaten to death by his cellmate in the Oklahoma County Detention Center in January. Quintana-Lujan told officer he shared a marijuana cigarette the night before, according to the document. His cellmate, Shaquile D Shaun Brown (left), confessed after being taken to a hospital for a mental assessment, the Oklahoma State . On July 23, 2020, Merrell was transferred to St. Anthonys Medical Center due to low oxygen levels, and remained hospitalized until his death, according to the release. Updated: Sep 13, 2022 / 06:14 PM CDT. Main Number: (850) 785-5245 Secondary Number: (850) 215-5140 Rev 02/28/2022 Sheriff's Office 3421 N Highway 77 Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 747-4700 Jail Facility 5700 Star Lane. Jail staff then called for medical staff who started resuscitation efforts while calling for an ambulance. Im sick and tired of the jail trust not ensuring people are well cared for at the jail. The Oklahoma County Jails design has also been cited as a flaw. Staff in a central control center monitor the housing units using security cameras. He had been suicide watch. His cellmate Shaquile Brown is now charged with first-degree murder, accused of using a metal brace from the walking boot to beat Lane to death. Emergency responders declared him dead on the scene. But what the trust talks about behind closed doors in executive session is another matter. While hospitalized, he tested positive for the coronavirus, the release said. Please follow these terms for republication: * Reporters bylines and photographers credit lines should be accompanied by Oklahoma Watch.. Cause and manner of death: The state Medical Examiner determined Taylor died from a seizure of unknown origin. Location: Oklahoma County Jail in Oklahoma City. . Five inmates have now died at the jail this year, and two . Winfred Lowe, 57, was found unresponsive in his cell by staff dispensing medication on Jan. 17. Oklahoma Mugshots http://Arre.st/Mugshots/Oklahoma More: Oklahoma County detention officer fired after jail suicide. Reagan became unresponsive, the report states. The jail's poor design makes it difficult for staff to see through every cell . The states urban jails have also struggled to care for inmates with mental illness. Typically when someone dies in the jail, family members will seek litigation, which is completely their right, Blumert said. OKLAHOMA CITY ( Free Press) A heart attack may be the cause of the eighth death of a detainee at the Oklahoma County Detention Center or Jail in 2022. Those housed at the center are given 10 hours to sober up and receive immediate access to substance abuse treatment. What happened: An inmate collapsed in the jail day room. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. This is the latest incident at a jail beleaguered by problems since its construction. I was just trying to have some civil way of living its inhumane, Basco said. 1100 University Avenue Huntsville, Texas 77340 936-436-4910 . Nationwide, there were 1,120 deaths reported, or a rate of 154 deaths per 100,000 people in jail, the highest levels since BJS' first report on this topic in 2000. Iski said there is no investigation pending into Reagans death and no foul play is suspected. Stephens, 21, was found dead from suicide inside the jail in early 2021. Oklahoma County detention officer fired after jail suicide, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It was just after 2 a.m. on a Saturday in December 2019 when two detention officers took John Basco from his cell and forced him to listen to the song on repeat for two hours while standing with his hands cuffed to a metal bar, according to a court affidavit. When the sheriff had the jail, we as commissioners had a little more interaction. What that does for the county is we typically have to hire outside counsel, and if we have to settle a case, which we sometimes do, we are spending tax dollars on that when we are found liable., (Correction: This article was updated at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, to correct the age of Andrew Avelar. It also means that person is not having to sober up in a jail cell where there might be additional psychological stress that could prompt a mental health episode.. The duties of a detention officer are highly stressful and demanding, and not everyone is the right fit for that role, Williams wrote. Brewer is also accused of punching a male detainee in the head with a closed fist while the prisoner was using the toilet and refused to return to his cell. Jacob Beaumont, director of advocacy and criminal justice reform at Mental Health Association Oklahoma, said its important that jail staff receive regular mental health and suicide prevention training. England, who had been convicted of fourth-degree arson, had about three months remaining on his sentence. Among those who die in jail by suicide, the median time from booking to death was just nine days, according to the data compiled by Prison Policy Initiative. OKLAHOMA CITY ( Free Press) Thursday, the death of a detainee in the Oklahoma County Detention Center or Jail was the ninth for the facility in 2021. Oklahoma County Jail death makes eight in 2021 investigation begins. The night of the attack, Brown was being held in the jail on charges of aggravated assault and attempted first degree robbery. Jail surveillance video shows Bishop outside his cell for recreation between 9:25 and 10:55 p.m. on Tuesday, the release states. Officials did not provide the cause of his death. Hes been named in court records as a witness to Lanes death. But it isnt possible without your support. The incident occured when the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office operated the detention center in 2019, but Brewer continued to work at the jail and wasnt charged in the incident until after the trust took over in 2020. Slavens was found unconscious and taken to a hospital. What happened: On June 26, 2020, Merrell was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. It was impossible to be bored around him, Oldham said. That fatality rate is likely significantly higher now, given the spate of recent deaths. Its actually worse than has been out in public, Calvey, who is running for district attorney, said during a debate hosted by NonDoc in June As I said, the former sheriff was not at all transparent. Detainees that are complying with security protocols are given access to the dayrooms and showers throughout the day as conditions permit that access to be safe for both detainees and staff, Williams said in response to The Frontiers questions about the issue. Deaths in Oklahomas largest county jails have trended upward over the past decade, an indication that some inmates arent receiving adequate medical and mental health care. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. A detention officer at the Oklahoma County jail was fired Monday, one day after an inmate was found hanging in his cell. April 14, 2021. Name: Lance SolomonAge: 55Died: Jan. 8, 2020Location: Logan Co. What happened: Tharp was unconscious so someone performed CPR on him, according to a jail incident report. Due to pre-existing medical issues, some deaths are unrelated to a detainees time in our facility. Yalartai, who hanged himself,had not been checked in almost 12 hours, officials said. He was charged in September 2019 with assault and battery upon an emergency medical care worker. Another prisoner called for help three times from the phone in his cell, which connected to jail medical staff, but there was no answer, according to court documents. On the morning of January 6, Ward was found unresponsive in her cell and was transported to a Tulsa hospital where she was pronounced dead 20 minutes following her arrival, according to an incident report the city sent to the state jail inspector. While the Oklahoma State Department of Health jail services division has the authority to investigate inmate deaths and issue misconduct reports, the agency cannot issue fines or impose sanctions on facilities that fail to provide adequate care. While decarceration could help reduce inmate deaths, Beaumont said state and local officials should continue to search for ways to improve medical and mental health care access inside county jails. Thats not even a strong enough description of how I feel. The Department of Justice was on site for about three days, and they brought several experts in the mental health field, medical field and in detention facilities, said Williams, who serves as outside counsel for the trust. House Bill 2295, a measure that would make domestic violence and stalking defendants ineligible for personal recognizance bond, is the only bail-related bill listed on the Oklahoma State Legislature tracking website. Were dealing with a fentanyl epidemic that has exploded nationally, and we have seen the impact here, he said. August 11, 2021. Guthries health started to deteriorate later that day and he was again transported to a hospital where he died, according to KTUL. 0:04. While Oklahoma lawmakers have proposed several dozen criminal justice and corrections bills, significant bail reform is not on the table this legislative session. He had been booked March 23; On the evening of March 11, jail staff found Charles Moore, 48, unresponsive in his cell while passing out medication. Oklahoma City Free Press is dedicated to providing high quality journalism that positively impacts our community. Share. The Oklahoma County Detention Center has struggled for decades with inadequate funding and staffing shortages. Six states Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont were excluded from the investigation because their state corrections department oversees pretrial detention facilities. I know I had an attitude but that dude did me dirty.. But friends believe Lane shouldnt have been placed in a cell with Brown, who was charged with violent crimes. The Oklahoma County jail in Oklahoma City is pictured on May 11, 2022. In 2021, Prater received permission to impanel a grand jury to investigate, among other things, lethal uncorrected mismanagement of the Oklahoma County Jail under the supervision of the jail trust. The inmate, Gabriel Yalartai, 40, died. While being escorted by a detention officer Tuesday about 9:40 a.m. to the video hearing room in the Jail, the officer noticed that Jimmy Bedford (DOB 1-27-1967) did not seem . What happened: A jailer found Rhodes laying on the floor of his cell, blue and unresponsive after he did not get up for breakfast. For drug overdoses, the median time is one day, and for inmates murdered by other inmates, the median time is 29 days from booking to death. But Blumert, who is facing Anastasia Pittman in a runoff for the District 1 seat later this month, said she has less input over the jail than she did before the trust took over. However it also noted that failure to secure funding does not release the County from the duty to provide constitutional conditions at the jail.. He was probably thinking, somebody will come. Jail and prison populations across the U.S. are aging, and a disproportionate number of inmates suffer from chronic medical conditions and mental illness. The jails funding comes primarily from property taxes the county collects. After temporarily loosening bail restrictions at the start of the pandemic, some state and local government officials are considering permanent reforms that could make long-term decareration possible. We had several lawsuits against the county for things involved in the jail. The jail population has grown since 2000, of course, but jail deaths have grown more. In some cases, there were prosecutions of jail staff, and I will point out that is a small minority of people that work at the jail., In the face of mass migration, we can learn from Oklahomas young people, Valentine voting: For the love of democracy, Out of Character: Jenna Miller explores body positivity, queer identity, Last week on This Old Attorney Generals Office, Budget hearing previews the last ride of Mark McBride, sued the county and jail trust over bed bugs, Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, Interim Oklahoma County Jail CEO Brandi Garner strives to be more communicative, Commissioners designate $40 million for mental health facility near new jail, Maughan: Oklahoma County elected official pay increase unfair to some, 10 unexpected moments our team witnessed in 2022, Change: Embattled Oklahoma County Jail chief Greg Williams resigns, Oklahoma County Jail: Inspection highlights more problems, Williams may resign, You are not welcome: Without shelter, resources limited for Edmonds unhoused, Potency caps, seed-to-sale vendor reboot among Legislatures 2023 marijuana measures, Education roundup: Catholic charter school, property tax mistake, OSDE changes and Epic, House moves education plan: $500 million of new funding, new parental choice tax credit, Legislature has more money to allocate, but Senate sour on House education price tag. Oklahoma County entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Justice in 2009 that required the county to adequately fund and staff the jail by 2014, or face court action from the federal government to force compliance. 1:21. According to jail officials, detainee Craig Weeks was discovered attempting suicide in his cell just before 1 p.m. Thursday. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital Muskogee and pronounced dead. The Oklahoma Medical Examiners office now has the body and will determine the cause of death. Location: Tulsa County jail (David L. Moss). Austin Bishop, 30, died in the jail Jan. 12 after detention officers were alerted to a medical emergency while they were serving breakfast. Somebody will come. And nobody came.. Reuters News investigation published last October, Deaths in Oklahomas largest county jails, 2017 report sponsored by the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative, sued the Oklahoma Department of Corrections a year later, Oklahoma State Department of Health jail services division, hanged herself inside an Oklahoma County Jail cell, suspected of public intoxication to a specialized treatment facility, some state and local government officials are considering permanent reforms, members of the House narrowly rejected Senate Bill 252, Mexican Consulate in OKC Expected to Be Taking Appointments as Soon as May, Long Story Short: What Oklahomas Vote on Recreational Marijuana Entails, What To Know About SQ 820 and Legalizing Recreational Marijuana in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Considers Stiffer Petition Requirements for State Questions, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Long Story Short: What Oklahoma's Vote on Recreational Marijuana Entails, Oklahoma Lawmakers File 40 Anti-LGBTQ Bills, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. But the real question we should be asking is what can we do to prevent people from ending up in a jail cell in the first place.. * Use the following credit line at the end of the story, with oklahomawatch.org hyperlinked online: Oklahoma Watch, atoklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state., by Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch February 9, 2021, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. Hospital and declared dead from the duty to provide constitutional conditions at jail... September 2019 with assault and attempted first degree robbery and tired of the dead were discovered by. Tested positive for the coronavirus, the jails funding comes primarily from property the! On his sentence england, who hanged himself, had not been in! Involved in the jail thats not even a strong enough description of how i feel property taxes County. 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