pexels-rdne-stock-project-6069522Investigation Underway After 25-Year-Old Woman Died in Custody at Kern County Jail 

KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (December 18, 2024) – A 25-year-old woman has tragically died in custody while being held at a Kern County jail.

Kern County officials are saying that the incident took place on July 28. Correctional officers noticed that the woman was in need of medical care at the jail.

Jail staff and medical staff were called to the woman’s cell in order to help her. She was given medical care.

But the efforts to resuscitate her were not successful. She was later pronounced dead at the jail.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Legal Considerations for Kern County Inmate Deaths

California has one of the highest instances of inmate deaths in the United States. State officials have pledged to take some measures to reduce the number of deaths. According to Cal Matters, “In 2019, when 156 people died in the custody of California jails, Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged that the state would take a stronger hand to prevent deaths in the 57 jail systems run by California county sheriffs.” There are a number of common causes of inmate deaths.

  • Drug overdoses
  • Homicides
  • Suicides
  • Cancer

Many inmate deaths are due to the excessive force of correctional officers. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is important that the circumstances surrounding any inmate death are properly understood.

  • The results of an autopsy should be reviewed.
  • An independent autopsy may need to be performed.
  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • The actions of correctional officers leading up to the death should be understood.

Jail deaths are typically never the result of the wrongful actions of a single person. Rather, it is more common that they are due to systemic failures within a jail system. This could include instances where jails do not have enough medical staff to tend to the needs of inmates. 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 the woman who died at this jail. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. The number of in-custody deaths in Kern County remains deeply concerning.

Do you need more information about a Kern County inmate death? Our team of personal injury attorneys is 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 any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

 

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