Inmate Steven Hall Died After Medical Emergency At Monterey County Jail In Salinas

SALINAS, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2023) – An inmate identified as Steven Hall has tragically died after a medical emergency in his cell at Monterey County Jail.

Monterey County Jail officials are saying that the incident began around 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Correctional officers found Steven Hall in medical distress in his jail cell.

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

Steven Hall was taken to the hospital to receive continued treatment. Sadly, though, he died about three hours after being admitted.

The Coroner Unit at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an autopsy in order to determine a cause of death.

 

Liability For Inmate Deaths At The Monterey County Jail

Inmates enter prisons with a number of unique health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Prison inmates have higher rates of mental illness, chronic medical conditions, and infectious diseases compared with the general population.” Many people enter the prisons systems with substance abuse issues. An inmate could easily die from a drug overdose or withdrawal. There are a number of steps that jails should take in order to prevent inmate deaths.

• Inmates should get a health screening before they are admitted.
• Inmates should have their medical records reviewed.
• Inmates may need to be periodically monitored with welfare checks.
• Correctional officers should be trained to know when an inmate is in medical distress.

Jails are legally required to provide inmates with reasonably adequate healthcare. Ideally, jails should be proactive and take action before an inmate is in medical distress, but this does not always happen. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. For example, a jail may have failed to intervene in a timely fashion when an inmate was in the midst of having a heart attack. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any in-custody death.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• The cause of the inmate’s death should be determined.
• A civil rights advocate should be consulted.

Many jails will list inmate deaths as natural. But this can be extremely misleading. Many deaths listed as “natural” were actually the result of medical neglect. The family of any person that died in-custody may have legal recourse through a constitutional claim. It is possible for jails to be held accountable when they give an inmate poor care and this results in their death.

 

Investigating Inmate Deaths At The Monterey County Jail

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Steven Hall. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. Jails need to be doing everything in their power to ensure that the rights of the inmates that they look after are being protected.

Do you need more information about an in-custody death at the Monterey County Jail? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates and their families are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.