oklahoma county jail deaths 2021

Charges were also filed and dismissed against the sheriff. Some outside audits have suggested it could take as many as 600 or 700 detention officers to fully staff the jail, said Tricia Everest, chairwoman of the trust that now oversees the jail. Please follow these terms for republication: * Reporters bylines and photographers credit lines should be accompanied by Oklahoma Watch.. He reportedly also had a cut on the back of his head, the report states. Lightfoot is among the . To say Im concerned or to say its concerning that just sounds like Im minimizing it, Prater said. Despite efforts by staff to revive him, Moore was pronounced dead. The detention officers sometimes used the song as a form of discipline for inmates who left their cells, according to accounts from former prisoners. Last week, officials from the U.S. Department of Justice visited the Oklahoma County jail for three days. I was just trying to have some civil way of living its inhumane, Basco said. 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 Buncombe County Sheriff, Quentin Miller, is the head law enforcement officer in the county. The inmate, Gabriel Yalartai, 40, died. There have been at least 84 deaths at the Oklahoma County Detention Center since 2009, according to data compiled by The Frontier and an investigation into jail death rates by Reuters. The woman later recounted the alleged assault in a letter from jail to her father. Brian Cortez Lightfoot, Jr., 26, of Los Angeles, is one of 10 Antifa members indicted by a San Diego County grand jury over a Jan. 9, 2021, riot in Pacific Beach. Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Im sick and tired of it is the best way I can put it.. 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 . An initial investigation found Avelar may have died from a suicide. Dominique Lynn Smith. We cant do it without your support. Location: Cherokee County Detention Center in Tahlequah. But cell doors throughout most of the facility have faulty doors and locking mechanisms that prisoners can easily rig to open to move around freely in their housing units and maybe even sneak in an unsanctioned shower. Administrators at the Oklahoma County Detention Center addressed the death of an inmate during a hostage situation and problems the jail is facing. Were dealing with a fentanyl epidemic that has exploded nationally, and we have seen the impact here, he said. Its people. Due to pre-existing medical issues, some deaths are unrelated to a detainees time in our facility. Richards was found unresponsive in his cell by staff distributing medicine. Records show the jail now employs fewer detention officers to supervise prisoners than it did in 2008. He kept saying hes killing me, help me, hes killing me, said Christopher Autrey, who was held in a cell on the 13th floor near Lane. A shortage of detention officers and the facilitys flawed design that makes it virtually impossible to continuously monitor each cell have contributed to the problem. An hour before the incident, an officer interacted with Gonzales and did not see any cause for . Tuell said Ward was routinely checked in while at the jail, as inmates normally are. Share. Organizers and voting rights advocates say the proposed changes could benefit well-financed groups with the resources to collect more signatures. The Oklahoma County Detention Center reported an especially high number of inmate deaths. An inspection report from the National Institute of Corrections also found phones that were not working in the medical unit. Im sick and tired of the jail trust not ensuring people are well cared for at the jail. What happened: German was being held at the jail after police arrested her on suspicion of public intoxication on the Fourth of July. 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. The Oklahoma County Detention Center reported an especially high number of inmate deaths. Gregory Davis, 53 (DOB 5-10-68), who was alone in his cell, was found unresponsive by jail staff who were making a mental health check at 9:12 a.m. Thursday, August 12. He was transported to Alliance Health Midwest hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later. He was placed in a cell for medical observation. Guthrie was treated at the hospital, cleared and released back to custody. 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. But what the trust talks about behind closed doors in executive session is another matter. Many of the dead were discovered unresponsive by staff making routine rounds. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. Not long after, on Sunday, July 31, an inmate died at the jail the 12th fatality this year. County officials should also look to divert certain low-level offenders to treatment facilities and detox centers, he said. District 2 County Commissioner Brian Maughan said that while its important to take each death seriously, there are a variety of factors that contribute to fatalities. The phone number is 828-250-4474. Slavens was found unconscious and taken to a hospital. Lane wore a walking boot after he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. Cause and manner of death: The state Medical Examiner determined Austin died from complications of lung disease. 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. Women typically have a 7 percent higher mortality rate than men while incarcerated in city and county jails. Jail transport was told he needed to be taken to a hospital. Get-Out-of-Jail Card: 12 Times Judges Decided Being 'Transgender' is 'Punishment Enough' for Criminals - Women Are Human . 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. With up to 2,700 inmates on a daily basis, the 268,000 square-foot Oklahoma County Detention Center is the largest in the state, according to the sheriff's office. 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. February 27, 2023 (96 years old) View obituary. The Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office reported 254 cases of prisoners assaulting detention officers in 2018. The first of the dozen deaths to occur in the Oklahoma County Jail this year happened in the second week of January, and the jail has averaged 1.7 deaths per month through July. I dont think its a case of dirty or bad detention officers its a huge problem nationally.. 'Nique for Calling Herself the First Plus-Size Rom-Com Star. Contact him at (405) 831-9753 or Kross@Oklahomawatch.org. 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. Its fatal if even small amounts are consumed. England, who had been convicted of fourth-degree arson, had about three months remaining on his sentence. They said jail and prison administrators should collect data on how quickly their officers respond to health emergencies and identify ways to increase response time. What happened: Jailers were alerted that Heatherington was having a seizure after other prisoners began kicking the dorm room door. Tricia Everest, chairwoman of the jail trust, says the new administration has made positive changes at the detention center, including adding more classes and programs for prisoners and spending more money to provide higher quality food, but changing the employee culture takes time. Another jailer called Brewer for backup after the woman refused to return to her cell and went to take a shower, she wrote. Paramedics and firefighters started to administer CPR and continued as they took Davis to the hospital. He loved to draw, read and could build or fix anything with his hands, Lanes girlfriend Crystal Oldham said. Jail Cause and manner of death: Sepsis. The national average was 1.46 over that period, according to data, We had several lawsuits against the county for things involved in the jail. NonDoc regrets the error.). 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. Though not involved in the investigation, Prater continues to be shocked by the number of deaths at the jail. Heatherington was found unresponsive. What happened: On June 26, 2020, Merrell was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Location: Oklahoma County Detention Center in Oklahoma City. 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. The facility has effectively been under federal oversight since 2009, when jail authorities and the DOJ entered into a memorandum of understanding to address ongoing civil rights concerns at the jail. 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. Name: LaWanda WardAge: 46Died: Jan. 6, 2020Location: Tulsa Municipal JailCause and manner of death: UndeterminedWhat happened: Ward was arrested on January 2 on six municipal misdemeanor warrants, according to a news release from the Tulsa Police Department. But friends believe Lane shouldnt have been placed in a cell with Brown, who was charged with violent crimes. His family sued the Oklahoma Department of Corrections a year later, claiming that prison staff failed to prevent his death. Medical staff continued resuscitation efforts until Oklahoma City firefightersarrived and took over, according to the statement. District 1 Commissioner Carrie Blumert said making the jail a better place was among her biggest priorities when she first ran for the commission, in 2018. Some years it is higher than others. Taylor, who left office in January, said in December that the Department of Justice and county officials met in 2019, when inspectors said they had seen enough improvements at the jail to release the county from the agreement, but wanted to wait until the jail trust took over to ensure progress continued. Three former detention officers face misdemeanor charges of cruelty for allegedly forcing prisoners to listen to the childrens song Baby Shark while the sheriffs office ran the jail. The U.S. jail population declined 24% between June 2019 to June 2020, according to statistics compiled by the Vera Institute of Justice. The last time he was seen outside of his cell was at 11:14 p.m. Bishop was booked into the jail on June 6, 2021, on charges of first-degreemurder and second-degree murder, according to the Oklahoma State Courts Network. He had been booked on March 9 and was being held in a new-arrival pod at the jail; Andrew Avelar, 27, was booked into the jail Jan. 31. 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. Emergency responders declared him dead on the scene. Shes haunted by thoughts that she could have tried to scrape together enough money to post his bond. February 23, 2023 (19 years old) View obituary. And to avoid any appearance of impropriety, I voluntarily disqualified our office.. He said he believes the Department of Justice should seek a court order in highly complex cases like the one involving the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Andy Ngo reports for the Post Millenial that "so far, six Antifa defendants took plea deals over their role in the attack and are awaiting sentencing. Oklahoma Mugshots http://Arre.st/Mugshots/Oklahoma The man said he feared for his life after a previous incident in which an inmate attacked him while he was working alone in one of the jail housing units. Others die by suicide or overdose, which is often due to contraband entering the facility. His cellmate, Shaquile D Shaun Brown (left), confessed after being taken to a hospital for a mental assessment, the Oklahoma State . A nurse checked for a pulse but could not find one. What to know as Oklahoma voters decide on March 7 if they want to expand the states medical marijuana market to adult recreational users 21 and older. 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 2021. Outside of hourly sight checks and meal deliveries, the men were mostly left alone on the pod, he said. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. Nearly 800 people died in South Carolina jails and prisons between 2015 and 2021, according to a new report from researchers at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Jail surveillance video shows Bishop outside his cell for recreation between 9:25 and 10:55 p.m. on Tuesday, the release states. The Oklahoma County Jail saw four deaths in 2020, according to The Frontier, and six in 2019. May 17, 2021. July 1, 2020: The Oklahoma County Jail Trust officially takes over management of the county jail, removing the sheriff's office from operations and bringing in a small team of administrators, most with experience from the state's corrections system. Oklahoma City Public Schools, which contracts with the jail to provide basic education for prisoners at the jail under the age of 18, says it cant guarantee a minimum four hours of classroom time a day, in part because of low staffing levels and elevators that constantly break down. On July 31, the jail announced the death of Robert Dale Richards, 50. The two former detention officers, Christian Miles and Gregory Butler, and a former supervisor who allegedly knew about the Baby Shark listening sessions now face misdemeanor criminal charges. Just because there has been some level of justice involvement that has led to your detention doesnt mean you deserve any less, he said. Seven inmates have died there in the last three months and at least 84 inmates there have died since 2009, a rate more than double the national average. 0:04. There were situations in which inmates were abused. The remainder were caused by homicide, accident or substance abuse. Name: Michael Reagan Jr.Age: 44Died: Jan. 13, 2020Location: Okmulgee County Criminal Justice AuthorityCause and manner of death: UndeterminedWhat happened: Updated story, Jan. 15, 2020: Reagan appeared to be having a seizure in his cell on January 13, according to an incident report jail staff sent to the state jail inspector. Six detention officers have been charged in state court with assault and mistreatment of prisoners at the jail since October. Whoops! 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. The duties of a detention officer are highly stressful and demanding, and not everyone is the right fit for that role, Williams wrote. 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. Brewer clenched a pair of handcuffs in his fist as he delivered blows to the mans head, prosecutors allege. This work is essential to a better-informed community and a healthy democracy. Jailers reported that German was behaving erratically and suspected she was still under the influence of methamphetamine more than 24 hours after her arrest. 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. Name: Lance SolomonAge: 55Died: Jan. 8, 2020Location: Logan Co. He was pronounced dead 13 days later. 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. Brad Lane screamed for help repeatedly the night he was beaten to death by his cellmate in the Oklahoma County Detention Center in January. Prosecutors accuse the former detention officers of using the Baby Shark song as a form of punishment against at least five men held at the jail. Autrey spoke to The Frontier in a video call from the jail, where he is being held on property and drug-related charges. In the event of a medical emergency, assault or mental health crisis, prisoners have to use a phone in their cells to call the command center for help, which then alerts detention officers to respond. 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. Tricia Everest, chairwoman of the trust that now oversees the jail says these numbers are about equivalent to staffing levels the jail has maintained in years past. The Special Investigations Unit of the Jail will investigate the circumstances leading up to Davis death. The outcome of Thorps multi-county grand jury investigation remains unknown, but criminal indictments for those involved in the jails operation and management could be possible. She attempted two numbers that she had been told to use to no avail and then was advised of a third. The frequency of deaths at the jail has been particularly high in the past couple of years. The Council for the Study of Community Colleges 2021 Program - Flip eBook Pages 1-50 | AnyFlip. Outside of hourly sight checks, medication and meal deliveries, prisoners at the Oklahoma County Detention Center are mostly alone in their housing units without direct supervision. * 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.. Last year The Frontier reported that many rural jails are far from treatment facilities, and have not received any funds from State Question 781, an approved 2016 ballot initiative which promised to allocate money saved from reduced prison costs to community mental health and substance abuse programs. Prater later recused himself from that investigation. Reagan was booked into the jail after being indicted on federal charges on Jan. 10, 2020. Updated: Sep 13, 2022 / 06:14 PM CDT. Oklahoma County jail trust facing two new lawsuits. Law students, led by professor Madalyn Wasilczuk, compiled data showing 777 deaths across 52 facilities, including state-run prisons, local detention centers, and a . Some jail staff quit last year after the jail trust cracked down the use of physical force against prisoners, said one former detention officer who was fired by the new administration in 2020 after an altercation with an inmate who refused to return to his cell in order to take a shower. Joshua Rhett Miller. Changing demographics are making it more difficult for corrections administrators to provide high-quality health care. The U.S. Army veteran had disclosed her post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression to jail staff, but was not being held in a mental health ward of the jail. Tuesday, a similar situation occurred when a detainee died from an apparent heart attack. 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