Inmate Jeffrey Rackley (Full Name: Jeffrey Bryan Rackley) Died While In Custody At Galveston Jail
GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS (December 30, 2023) - An inmate identified as Jeffrey Rackley has tragically died while in custody at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice jail in Galveston.
Galveston County officials indicated that the incident began on December 15. Jeffrey Rackley was transported to the hospital due to his medical condition.
He remained at the hospital for a total of five days. But his condition did not improve. Sadly, Jeffrey Rackley was pronounced dead on December 20.
His medical cause of death was listed as Multi-organ Failure. A full investigation into the in-custody death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Galveston Inmate Deaths
Inmates face a number of challenges during their incarceration. Many of these challenges can lead to inmate mortality. According to National Public Radio, “A Senate report last year found the U.S. Department of Justice failed to identify more than 900 deaths in prisons and local jails in fiscal year 2021. The report said the DOJ's poor data collection and reporting undermined transparency and congressional oversight of deaths in custody.” There are a number of common causes of inmate death.
- Homicide
- Suicide
- Drug overdoses
- Excessive force by correctional officers
Liability for the death of an inmate involves numerous factors. These will include the circumstances of the death, the conditions of the jail facility and the action or inaction of those responsible for the inmate’s well-being. A jail or private healthcare provider could be liable for the death of an inmate if they were given inadequate medical care. Inadequate medical care could lead to an inmate’s death in numerous ways.
- Medical officials may have failed to discover an inmate’s serious medical condition.
- Medical officials may have failed to give an inmate the medication that they needed.
- Jail staff may have failed to get an inmate prompt care during a medical emergency.
- Jail staff may have failed to perform periodic welfare checks.
Jails are supposed to be proactive about keeping inmates healthy. But in far too many situations, jail officials wait until an inmate is already in medical distress before they will bother doing anything. However, by this time it may already be too late. It is important that inmates and their families understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in-custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Galveston Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jeffrey Rackley. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. State officials need to do their part and implement greater oversight.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed while staying at a Galveston County jail? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are focused on helping inmates understand their rights and holding jails accountable for their medical neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.