pexels-ron-lach-10475008Investigation Underway After 40-Year-Old Inmate Died While In Custody At The North Branch Jail In Santa Maria 

SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA (September 17, 2024) – A male inmate has tragically died while in custody at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria.

Santa Barbara County officials are saying that the incident began earlier this month. A 40-year-old inmate collapsed while inside the jail.

The incident took place shortly after the inmate went through a routine medical screening. Medical staff began life-saving measures, and the inmate was transported to the hospital in order to receive care.

He underwent emergency surgery, but he still died about two weeks after being taken to the hospital.

Liability For Santa Barbara County Inmate Deaths

Medical emergencies remain a leading cause of inmate deaths. According to Open Justice, “The majority of deaths in custody from 2010 to 2019 resulted from natural causes such as illnesses among jail and prison inmates serving their sentences after a conviction. Roughly one-fifth of deaths occurred during the process of arrest.” Jails should take a number of measures in order to prevent inmate deaths.

  • Inmates should get a thorough health screening when they are first admitted.
  • Inmates should have access to quality medical care.
  • Jails should work closely with healthcare providers.

All inmates have a constitutional right to receive reasonably adequate medical care. The level of care that an inmate may need will depend largely on their health profile. Some inmates may only need relatively minor care. Others may need care for chronic health conditions. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. It is crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any inmate death.

  • Medical records related to an inmate death should be collected.
  • The cause of an inmate’s death should be understood.
  • The history of deaths at the jail involved should be investigated.

Inmate deaths are often highly preventable. They tend to be the result of systemic failures within a jail system. This may include instances where a jail is overcrowded. When a jail is overcrowded, this can affect the care that all inmates receive. The family of any person who died in custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Santa Barbara County Inmate Deaths  

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died at this jail. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The number of inmate deaths across Santa Barbara County in recent years remains deeply concerning.

Do you need more information about an inmate death at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. 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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