Inmate Terrance Aaron, 55, Died While Staying At Texas Department of Criminal Justice Telford Unit In New Boston
NEW BOSTON, TEXAS (January 26, 2024) - An inmate identified as Terrance Aaron has tragically died while staying at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Telford Unit in New Boston.
TDCJ officials are saying that the incident took place on January 20. Terrance Aaron was receiving medical support when he reportedly succumbed to his illness.
Very few details about the death have been released at this time. A full investigation into the death of Terrance Aaron remains ongoing.
Liability For Texas Inmate Deaths
Inmates face a variety of health conditions. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Correctional authorities reported over 60 different fatal medical conditions, but prisoner deaths were heavily concentrated among a small number of diseases. Heart diseases (27%), including heart attacks, and cancer (23%) caused half of all State prisoner deaths from 2001 to 2004. When combined with liver diseases (10%) and AIDS-related causes (7%), two-thirds of all State prisoner deaths were caused by these four medical conditions.” A number of factors can contribute to poor health outcomes for inmates.
- Many jails are overcrowded which can put a severe impact on the quality of care that all inmates receive.
- Inmates with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to face adverse health consequences.
- Unsanitary living conditions within a jail can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
Addressing the factors that contribute to poor inmate health outcomes requires jails to take a holistic approach. Sadly, though, jails often outsource much of the care that inmates get to private companies that face very little oversight. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Jails should take a number of measures in order to prevent inmate deaths.
- Jail staff should be well trained to understand when en inmate is in medical distress.
- Jails should be stocked with Narcan, which can be used to reverse the effects of an overdose.
- Jail staff should perform periodic wellness checks on inmates to make sure that they are alright.
Jails can be very difficult and dangerous places even in the best of circumstances. Jails are supposed to be proactive about keeping inmates healthy, but far too often, this does not take place. Jail officials will often wait until an inmate is in medical distress before they will bother intervening. But by this time it may already be too late. This is why it is so important to seek legal counsel as early as possible after any in-custody death. A skilled civil rights attorney can get to the bottom of what really happened.
Investigating Texas Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences of Terrance Aaron. Any person that may have more information about what happen should reach out to authorities. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Texas inmate death? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that jail officials get the support and justice that they deserve. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.