Terrance Salazar Died In Custody After Being Found Unresponsive In Tucson Jail Cell At The Pima County Adult Detention Complex
TUCSON, ARIZONA (October 12, 2022) – A 30-year-old inmate identified as Terrance Salazar has died after being found unresponsive in jail cell at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.
Pima County officials are saying that the incident took place on Monday, October 3. Terrance Salazar was found unresponsive in his jail cell.
Jail staff began performing life-saving measures as they waited for medics to arrive. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Terrance Salazar was later pronounced dead.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. Just three days after this incident, Benjamin Willhite also died after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.
Liability For Tucson Jail Inmate Deaths
Jails are supposed to be places of rehabilitation. But far too often they are places where inmates go to be neglected and mistreated. According to the Prison Police Initiative, “In 2018, state prisons reported 4,135 deaths (not including the 25 people executed in state prisons); this is the highest number on record since BJS began collecting mortality data in 2001.” Many of these deaths were totally preventable. There are a number of measures that jails should take to keep inmates safe.
- Jails should be properly staffed.
- Jail officials should be adequately trained.
- Inmates should get a pre-health screening before being admitted.
All inmate have a constitutional right to receive reasonably adequate healthcare. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. For example, many inmates are not given proper care when they are experiencing an overdose or medical emergency. Many different pieces of evidence should be examined after any inmate death.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- The results of an autopsy should be reviewed.
When an inmate dies in custody, the family of the deceased inmate may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. However, it is common for jails to fight hard to deny responsibility for any inmate that died in their care. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Tucson Jail Inmate Death
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Terrance Salazar. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There have been so many deaths at this jail in recent months. State officials should do the right thing and consider measures to help make sure that this jail is a safe place that respects the constitutional rights of inmates.
Do you need more information about a Tucson inmate death? Our team of inmate’s rights advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any inmate death we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
