pexels-rdne-stock-project-6069522Courtney Easley (Full Name: Courtney Nichole Easley) Died While In Custody At Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility In Bakersfield 

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (September 23, 2024) – A 28-year-old woman identified as Courtney Easley has tragically died in custody at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility in Bakersfield.

Kern County officials are saying that the incident took place on July 28. Correctional officers noticed that Courtney Easley was found unresponsive.

Jail staff began life-saving measures in order to help the woman. But those measures were not successful.

Courtney Easley was later pronounced dead. A coroner’s report indicated her death was likely due to fentanyl intoxication.

Liability For Kern County Inmate Overdoses

Drug overdoses remain a major cause of inmate death in the United States. Fentanyl has proved to be especially dangerous. According to Health & Justice, “Fentanyl and related compounds have recently saturated the illicit drug supply in the United States, leading to unprecedented rates of fatal overdose. Individuals who are incarcerated are particularly vulnerable, as the burden of opioid use disorder is disproportionately higher in this population, and tolerance generally decreases during incarceration.” There are a number of signs associated with fentanyl overdoses.

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Shallow breathing
  • Blue or grayish lips
  • Clammy skin
  • Pinpoint pupils

All jails have a legal obligation to protect inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes harm brought on by drug overdoses. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are several measures that jails should take in order to prevent inmate overdose deaths.

  • Jails should be stocked with Narcan, which can be used to reverse an overdose.
  • Jail staff should be trained to recognize the signs of an overdose.
  • Jails should do everything in power to prevent illicit drugs from entering inside in the first place.

Inmate deaths involving drug overdoses are nearly always preventable. They tend to occur at jails that are not following medical guidelines. In particular, there have been a number of situations where inmates were not properly medically cleared before being placed inside their jail cell. The family of any inmate who died in custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Kern County Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Courtney Easley. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. This is part of an unfortunate trend in recent years within California. State officials need to do the right thing and take steps to ensure that all jails within the state are upholding constitutional standards.

Do you need more information about an inmate death at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility in Bakersfield? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here for you. 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 any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

 

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