Deon Mathis Died In Custody At Western Illinois Correctional Center In Mount Sterling
Wrongful Death - May 8, 2023
Deon Mathis Died After Being Found Unresponsive At Western Illinois Correctional Center In Mount Sterling
MOUNT STERLING, ILLINOIS (May 8, 2023) – An inmate identified as Deon Mathis has died after being found unresponsive at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mount Sterling.
Brown County officials are saying that the death took place on Monday. Valerie Waters is the mother of Deon Mathis. She said that she received a call from corrections officers that her son was found unresponsive in his cell.
Sadly, Deon Mathis died after being found unresponsive. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma, according to the Brown County Sheriff.
Valerie Waters says that she has tried to get more information about what happened, but the jail has not been transparent with her.
Deon Mathis was convicted of being a getaway driver for a homicide in 2011. But family members have said that there is evidence that could have overturned that verdict and an appeal was being planned.
A full investigation into his death at the Western Illinois Correctional Center remains ongoing.
Liability For Inmate Deaths At The Western Illinois Correctional Center
Thousands of inmates are seriously injured or die during their time in custody. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS), “In 2019, the mortality rate in state prisons was 330 per 100,000 state prisoners, while federal prisoners in facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) died at a rate of 259 per 100,000.” There are many steps that prisons should take in order to keep inmates safe.
- Inmates should get a health screening before being admitted.
- Inmate should be properly monitored during their stay.
- Prisons should be adequately staffed with well trained officers.
All jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with reasonably adequate healthcare. Failure to do so is a deprivation of their right to due process and equal protection guaranteed by the constitution. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate in their care, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any in custody death.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Jails are supposed to be transparent about in custody deaths. But far too often, this is not the case. In far too many situations, correctional officers neglect to give inmates proper care which contributes to their death. The family of any person that died in custody may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. It is extremely important that all evidence is properly preserved after any in custody death.
Investigating Inmate Deaths At The Western Illinois Correctional Center
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Deon Mathis. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Officials at the Western Illinois Correctional Center need to be transparent about what happened. No family should ever be left in the dark after their loved one dies in custody.
Do you need more information about an in custody death at the Western Illinois Correctional Center? 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 those rights are being protected. 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 (312) 564-4256.
