Inmate Jarvis Williams (Full Name: Jarvis Jamail Williams) Died Following Medical Emergency At Texas Department of Criminal Justice Jail In Galveston
GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS (January 18, 2023) - A 36-year-old inmate identified as Jarvis Williams has tragically died while staying at Texas Department of Criminal Justice Jail in Galveston.
Galveston County officials are saying that the incident began on November 22. Jarvis Williams was admitted to Hospital Galveston due to a medical condition.
He remained at the hospital for nearly two months where his condition continued to decline. On January 16, Jarvis Williams was pronounced dead by medical staff.
His medical cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Galveston County Inmate Deaths
Heart related illnesses remain one of the leading causes of inmate death in the United States. Consider, for example, one study in Shelby County. According to the Commercial Appeal, “Among inmates who died in the custody of the Shelby County Jail from 2016 to the present, the leading cause of death — 21 out of at least 52 — involved cardiovascular disease as either the main cause or a contributing cause.” However, there are many other factors besides heart disease that could contribute to any inmate having a heart attack.
- Coronary artery disease
- Drug overdose
- Certain illnesses
- Severe trauma
All jails have a legal obligation to provide all inmates with reasonably adequate healthcare. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Deliberate indifference may arise from the inaction of jail officials. It may also arise from the poor decisions of jail or medical staff. For example, inmates with high blood pressure are at a greater risk of a heart attack if they are consistently given ibuprofen, according to the FDA. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any inmate death.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- An independent autopsy may need to be performed.
- The actions of jail officials leading up to a death should be understood.
Jails are often quick to label in-custody deaths as natural. However, this designation can often be highly misleading. Many supposedly “natural” jail deaths involve inmates in their 20’s and 30’s. The fact of the matter is that many jail deaths are due to medical neglect. It is important that inmates and their families understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a county jail may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Galveston County Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jarvis Williams. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Galveston County inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We’ve spent decades fighting on behalf on inmates and their families. We are committed to holding jails accountable for their unconstitutional actions. 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.