Prisons assume control over everything inmates do. For that reason, New Jersey correctional facilities also are responsible for the health and welfare of prisoners, no matter what reason an inmate is incarcerated. A prison may be guilty of negligence for failing to prevent conditions that put prisoners’ health or lives at risk.
Mercer County is named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by family members of an inmate, who died in October at the county prison. A criminal complaint alleges the man was attacked by a violent cell mate while sleeping at Mercer County Correction Center. The 19-year-old alleged murderer had been in and out of a psychiatric hospital from the time he was taken into custody on a carjacking charge at age 17.
The teen admitted he choked his cell mate using a piece of a bed sheet, while simultaneously striking the victim’s head on the floor. The prisoner poured toilet water on the cell mate’s face to “drown” him. To guarantee the victim died, the teen also trampled the unconscious victim’s head.
The civil lawsuit blames the Trenton inmate’s death on the county, dozens of prison employees and the health care service provider contracted by the prison. Family members allege the prison staff recklessly disregarded the prisoner’s safety by placing him with a cell mate who already had tried to kill another inmate. The medical staff was faulted for turning down the prisoner’s request for psychological counseling.
Prison guards allegedly failed to monitor the prisoners’ cell or respond to the violence, despite knowing the teen earlier choked and attempted to drown another prisoner. The lawsuit described the correction center employees’ attitudes as “deliberate indifference.” Family members are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Damages are awarded in Passaic County wrongful death cases when a defendant’s actions or failures to act show little or no concern for human life. Compensation recipients are the deceased’s spouse, children or parent .
Source: NJ.com, “Family of Trenton man allegedly killed by cellmate last year files suit against Mercer County, corrections employees” James McEvoy, Times of Trenton, Jun. 18, 2014
