Inmate Jeffrie Collier, 61, Died Following Medical Emergency At Hospital Galveston
GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS (January 14, 2024) - A 61-year-old inmate identified as Jeffrie Collier has tragically died after a medical emergency at Texas Department of Justice Hospital Galveston.
TDCJ officials are saying that the incident began on December 4. Jail officials noticed that Jeffrie Collier was experiencing some type of medical emergency.
Jail staff began life-saving measures which were taken over by paramedics. He was transported to the hospital in order to receive additional care.
Sadly, the efforts to save Jeffrie Collier were not successful and he was pronounced dead around 3:48 p.m. on December 20. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For TDCJ Inmate Deaths
Jail deaths have become all too common across Texas and the United States more broadly. According to the Behind Bars Data Project, “In 2020, at least 6,182 people died in U.S. prisons. This is a 46% increase in the lives lost behind bars from 2019, despite a 10% decrease in the overall prison population. The U.S. has seen a significant, continual increase in deaths in prisons over the past two decades, but never before have the country’s prisons seen such a steep increase year-to-year.” There are a number of steps that jails should take in order to prevent inmate deaths.
- Jails should make sure that all of the inmates in their care get a proper medical screening.
- Jails should be stocked with Narcan, which can be used to reverse the effects of an overdose.
- Jail officials should be trained to recognize the signs that an inmate is in medical distress.
Every jail in the United States must take reasonable steps to properly protect the inmates in their care. This includes providing those inmates with medical care for all of their conditions. The level of care that any inmate may need will depend largely on their unique health profile. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are a number of signs that an inmate may be going through some type of medical distress.
- An inmate may have difficult time breathing.
- An inmate may experience chest pain or discomfort.
- An inmate may have severe pain in any part of their body.
- An inmate may have sudden confusion or disorientation.
- An inmate may experience uncontrolled shaking or sudden convulsions.
Jails are supposed to be proactive about keeping the inmates in their care healthy. But far too often this does not take place. Jail officials will often wait until an inmate is in serious medical distress before they will bother intervening. But by then it may already be too late. The family of any person that died in a TDCJ jail may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating TDCJ Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jeffrie Collier. Any person that may know more about what took place should speak with investigators. The sheer number of inmate deaths across Texas is alarming. State officials need to do their part an implement greater oversight to ensure these jails are upholding constitutional standards.
Do you need more information about a Texasinmate death? We may be able to assist you. Our team of civil rights attorneys are focused on getting inmates and their families the support and justice that they are entitled to. We care deeply that jails are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. 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 214-987-4100.