Riverside County Inmate Died In Custody At Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning
BANNING, CALIFORNIA (August 29, 2022) – A Riverside County jail inmate died in custody after a medical emergency at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Riverside County officials are saying that the incident began on August 16. Correctional officers found the inmate while he was experiencing some type of medical emergency.
Paramedics were called to the scene and the man was taken to the hospital. However, his health continued to decline at the hospital and he was pronounced dead.
A full investigation into the Banning jail death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Riverside County Inmate Deaths
Far too many inmates die in custody every year. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “In 2019, the mortality rate in state prisons was 330 per 100,000 state prisoners, while federal prisoners in facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) died at a rate of 259 per 100,000. Prisons or private prison facilities under a state contract, a decrease of 284 deaths from 2018.” Many inmate deaths are totally preventable. There are a number of steps that jails can take in order to keep inmates safe during their stay.
- Correctional officers should be well trained.
- Correctional officers should be able to recognize when an inmate is in medical distress.
- Correctional officers should periodically check on inmates to make sure that they are ok.
- Inmates should undergo a pre-health screening before being admitted.
All inmates have a constitutional right to receive reasonably adequate healthcare. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of any inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. For example, a jail may have failed to properly treat an inmate experiencing medical distress. There are a number of steps that should be taken after an inmate death.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- An autopsy may need to be performed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be performed.
The family of any inmate that died in custody may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, jails often fight hard to deny liability for any inmate death. A wrongful death attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Riverside County Inmate Death
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the inmate that died in Banning. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Riverside County inmate death? Our team of inmates rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. 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 more information about any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
