Filed
6:00 a.m. EDT
07.24.2025
In Cuyahoga County, a jail loss of life triggers obligatory investigations. Right here’s what all Ohio sheriffs are presupposed to do, and learn how to test their work.
The Cuyahoga County jail has been known as one of many worst jails in America, a title it earned following a scathing investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service amid a rash of deaths seven years in the past.
The deaths of two dozen folks within the jail have left households with unanswered questions. They’ve additionally shaken public belief and led to lawsuits and investigations on the state and nationwide ranges that, to today, establish ongoing issues over systemic failures.
What’s presupposed to occur when an individual dies contained in the jail?
The Marshall Undertaking – Cleveland has damaged down the steps that native, state and federal governments are presupposed to take when somebody dies in jail custody, and what data can be found to anybody looking for solutions.
Are jail workers required to inform state and federal companies after a loss of life?
Sure.
When somebody dies whereas in jail custody, even when they died after being moved to a hospital, jail officers are required to report the loss of life to 2 companies: the Ohio Division of Rehabilitation and Correction and the state’s Workplace of Felony Justice Providers.
As well as, the federal Loss of life in Custody Reporting Act requires the state to report the loss of life and associated particulars to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Help.
How are jail deaths investigated?
Jail deaths are investigated and reviewed on a number of ranges.
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The post-mortem: A county coroner or health worker determines the reason for loss of life by way of an post-mortem, which incorporates toxicology testing, a course of that may take months. Toxicology testing of an individual’s blood or urine helps to find out if medicine, alcohol, or different substances contributed to or prompted a loss of life. An post-mortem is designed to establish how somebody died, reminiscent of a coronary heart assault or overdose, and why, reminiscent of pure causes or murder. If a household is unhappy with the federal government post-mortem, they will search an impartial examination, typically at their very own expense. Nevertheless, the Post-mortem Initiative, a part of the Know Your Rights Camp based by Colin Kaepernick, might present a second post-mortem for gratis for households who’ve misplaced a liked one as a result of legislation enforcement intervention.
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The inner investigation: For the reason that sheriff oversees the jail, she or he will typically provoke an inside investigation of the loss of life. Investigators usually evaluate the occasions main as much as the loss of life, interview workers and doc the incarcerated particular person’s medical historical past. If the investigation finds that correctional officers or workers didn’t observe division coverage, the sheriff might self-discipline these accountable. The sheriff’s investigation can be turned over to prosecutors for potential felony costs.
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The impartial state investigation: To keep away from actual or perceived conflicts of curiosity, the sheriff can request an impartial investigation from the Ohio Bureau of Felony Investigation. The BCI’s findings can then be given to prosecutors, who might current the case to a grand jury to find out if felony costs must be filed. It’s a uncommon incidence, nonetheless. Cuyahoga County has not requested the BCI to analyze a jail loss of life since 2016, in response to a spokesperson for Ohio Lawyer Normal Dave Yost.
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State oversight evaluate: One other evaluate occurs on the state stage. Jails should report deaths inside 24 hours to the Ohio Division of Rehabilitation and Correction, particularly the Bureau of Grownup Detention. The purpose is to search out out what occurred, why it occurred, and whether or not workers adopted the foundations. After the investigation, the state might challenge a corrective motion plan if coverage failures are recognized. The plan outlines steps jail workers ought to take to repair any issues, together with revisions to jail insurance policies.
What sorts of data must be accessible?
Many data are public below Ohio legislation and accessible to anybody who asks, together with:
- Video footage: Bodycam and jail surveillance footage are public data, however a brand new legislation permits companies to cost a most of $75 per hour of video, though no more than $750 per request. Every jail has completely different guidelines about how lengthy they preserve video, and a few might delete it after a set variety of days.
- Officer disciplinary data: Inside investigations of correctional officers, even for breaking guidelines that aren’t crimes, are publicly accessible. These data embrace a correctional officer’s discharge, lack of pay, suspension, demotion or termination.
- Emails: Ohio legislation defines “public report” as any doc — together with emails — created or acquired by a public workplace. There are some exemptions.
- Post-mortem data: Post-mortem data are usually public data, together with observations and conclusions drawn through the process. If a case is a suspected murder, the post-mortem report can’t be supplied till the case is resolved.
- State loss of life investigations and corrective motion plans: These could be requested from the Ohio Division of Rehabilitation and Correction.
- Medical data of the deceased: Underneath the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical data could be launched after a loss of life to a partner, grownup youngster, dad or mum or sibling. Members of the family can request jail medical data and data from a hospital keep.
