Inmate Kamren Nettles, 19, (Full Name: Kamren Lee Nettles) Died In Custody At Los Angeles Based Men’s Central Jail

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (July 11, 2023) – A 19-year-old inmate identified as Kamren Nettles has tragically died in-custody at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County officials are saying the inmate was pronounced dead around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. Kamren Nettles was being housed at Men’s Central Jail following his alleged role in the robbery of a marijuana dispensary.

The cause of the teenager’s death remains unknown a this time. The DME has ordered a toxicological screening which is set to take place over the next four to eight months.

A full investigation into the death of Kamren Nettles remains ongoing at this time. This is the 15^th reported inmate death in Los Angeles County so far in 2023.

 

Liability For Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

Los Angeles County has a very poor reputation for the care that it gives inmates. According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, conditions at jails across LA County have been described as “unconscionable” by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. There have been dozens of videos leaked to the LA Times showing the brutal beatings of inmates and inattentive deputies. The county has taken a number of actions to try to improve jail conditions.

• $52.3 million has been appropriated to improve mental health care services at the jails.
• $29.9 million has been appropriated to move people with severe mental health conditions out of jails.
• $1 billion has been appropriated for the county’s Probation Department.

There are many potential causes of in-custody deaths. This can range from homicide, drug overdoses, suicide, cancer and jail neglect. Jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with adequate healthcare. This includes treating any health conditions that inmates may have. It also includes giving inmates treatment if they are going through an overdose or drug withdrawal. Youth jails, in particular, have been plagued by a constant flow of illegal narcotics. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many steps that should be taken after an inmate death.

• Jail records of the incident should be sought.
• Surveillance footage of the incident should be examined.
• A private autopsy may need to be performed.
• Notes from all medical staff related to the incident should be reviewed.

It is common for jails to list most in-custody deaths as “natural.” But this is often highly misleading. The average age of inmates that die of “natural” causes in LA county is 40. In reality, a number of inmates are not given adequate care and die after they go into medical distress. The family of any inmate that died in-custody may be able to seek accountability through a constitutional claim. Sadly, though, it is common for jails to deny liability after any inmate dies in their care.

Investigating Inmate Deaths At Men’s Central Jail

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Kamren Nettles. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. County officials have discussed shutting down the Men’s Central Jail for years. But yet it remains open even as more and more people die inside.

Do you need more information about an in-custody death at the Men’s Central Jail? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to preserving the constitutional rights of inmates and holding jails accountable for their neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any in-custody death we are here for you. You are always welcome to call us anytime at  (949) 825-5200.