Inmate Binh Tran Died After Being Found Unresponsive In His Cell At The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Victorville

VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA (July 25, 2023) – A 55-year-old male inmate identified as Binh Tran has tragically died at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Victorville.

San Bernardino County officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:20 p.m. on Friday. Correctional officers found Binh Tran unresponsive in his jail cell.

Jail staff began life-saving measures which were then taken over by emergency medical services. Despite those efforts he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Binh Tran was initially sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamines. But it remains unclear if any illicit substance may have contributed to his death.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

 

Liability For Victorville Inmate Deaths

Far too many die in-custody every year. According to the UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project, “In 2020, at least 6,182 people died in U.S. prisons. This is a 46% increase in the lives lost behind bars from 2019, despite a 10% decrease in the overall prison population. The U.S. has seen a significant, continual increase in deaths in prisons over the past two decades.” There are a number of steps that jails should take in order to prevent in-custody deaths.

• Jails should be adequately staffed. When a jail is not properly staffed this increases the likelihood of critical errors or omissions taking place.
• Correctional officers should be trained to understand when an inmate is in medical distress.
• Correctional officers should perform periodic welfare checks on inmates in their care. They may need to perform additional checks on inmates with special medical needs.

Under the U.S. Constitution, correctional facilities assume the responsibility of taking care of inmates because it has deprived them of their autonomy and freedom. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution forbids jails from engaging in “cruel and unusual punishment.” If a jail fails to give an inmate proper medical care, this is a violation of that inmate’s Eighth Amendment rights. There are many ways that a jail may have failed to properly care for an inmate.

• A jail may have failed to recognize an inmate was at risk of suicide.
• A jail may have failed to give adequate mental health care to an inmate.
• A jail may have exposed an inmate to hazardous materials.
• A jail may have failed to intervene when an inmate was going through a medical emergency.

When an inmate is deprived of their constitutional rights and dies in custody, their family may be able to seek some measure of justice through a constitutional claim. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any in-custody death. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to determine liability. Unfortunately, jails are almost never totally transparent about any in-custody death.

 

Investigating Deaths At The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Victorville

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Binh Tran. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about an in-custody death at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Victorville? Our team of civil rights advocates may be able to get you the information you are looking for. We care deeply that inmates and their families are aware of their constitutional rights. We also care that jails are held to account for their neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.