Male Inmate Died After Being Found Unresponsive In Jail Cell at San Diego Central Jail
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (May 26, 2022) – A 64-year-old male inmate has tragically died after being found unresponsive in his cell at the San Diego Central Jail.
San Diego County officials are saying that the incident took place early Wednesday. Jail staff discovered the inmate unresponsive in his jail cell which was on the seventh floor of the San Diego Central Jail.
Deputies and medical staff began performing CPR in order to revive the inmate. But he was pronounced dead around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Autopsy results are still pending and it is not known what contributed to the death. This is the 10th in-custody death at a local jail in San Diego County this year.
A full investigation into the death at the San Diego Central Jail remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For San Diego Inmate Deaths
California has one of the worst records for inmate deaths in the country and San Diego County has one of the worst records within the state. According to California State Auditor Michael Tilden, “The high rate of deaths in San Diego County’s jails (as) compared to other counties raises concerns about underlying systemic issues with the Sheriff’s Department’s policies and practices.” A lack of oversight and an inadequate response to the deaths were cited as contributing factors. There are a number of recommendations that have been made in order to curb the number of deaths.
- The Legislature should amend state law to require police departments to update their policies for health evaluations.
- County sheriff’s departments should have mental health professionals available to evaluate inmates.
- The San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board should thoroughly review all natural-cause fatalities and make more information available to the public.
All jails have a legal obligation to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Inmates must receive adequate healthcare, which is a guarantee they have under the federal constitution. Sadly, though, many jails fail to give inmates adequate care. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any inmate death.
- It should be determined when jail staff performed safety checks.
- Jail records should be examined.
- An autopsy should be performed.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
The family of any inmate that died in a San Diego County jail may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damage in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Unfortunately, county officials will often fight hard to deny any responsibility if an inmate dies in their care. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Diego Inmate Death
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the inmate that died at the San Diego Central Jail. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. It is our sincere hope that there are major reforms at this jail to stop the steady flow of inmate deaths.
Do you need more information about a San Diego inmate death? Our team of inmate’s rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
