Male Inmate, 47, Died After Being Found Unresponsive In His Cell At Monterey County Jail

SALINAS, CALIFORNIA (October 5, 2023) – A 47-year-old inmate has tragically died in custody after being booked into the Monterey County Jail in Salinas.

Monterey County officials are saying that the incident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Correctional officers noticed that the inmate was unresponsive in his cell.

Jail and medical staff entered the cell and began life-saving measures. Paramedics were called to the scene and took over those efforts.

He was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.

 

Liability For Monterey County Jail Inmate Deaths

Different counties across California often have very different death rates. According to Redding, “From 2005 to 2019, about 1,960 people died in the custody of California county jails. Most of these jails operate with relative independence under elected sheriffs, some with little local oversight. Differences in how counties run their jails become more obvious when comparing their rates of jail deaths.” There are many steps that jails should take in order to prevent in custody deaths.

• Jail staff should be adequately trained to identify when an inmate is in medical distress.
• Jails should conduct regular health assessments on inmates.
• Jails should take measures to protect inmates from outbursts of violence.
• Jails should be adequately staffed by guards and not overcrowded.

Jails must take reasonable measures in order to keep the inmates in their care safe. When the state assumes control over a person’s autonomy and life, certain constitutional standards will apply. This includes standards related to the healthcare that an inmate must receive. When a jail fails to uphold constitutionally required standards for inmate care, this could create the basis of a civil claim. There are many ways that jails may have failed to properly care for an inmate.

• An inmate may have failed to get adequate mental healthcare if they had suicidal ideations.
• An inmate may not have gotten proper care in the midst of a drug overdose.
• An inmate may not have received care for chronic health conditions.

Investigating Monterey County Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the inmate that died at the Monterey County Jail in Salinas. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope there is lasting change at this jail so that other tragedies can be averted.

Do you need more information about a Monterey County Jail death? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are doing everything within their power to keep inmates safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any in-custody death we are here to help. You can contact us anytime at (949) 825-5200.