DEATHS IN PRISONS 2005

30. JUNI 2005

USA

ein 16 jähriger der einen herzfehler hatte, kollabierte beim joggen im englewood knast/ colorado und starb

Teenager at youth jail collapses on run, dies

A 16-year-old boy with a heart defect collapsed while jogging at a state-run youth detention center in Englewood on Wednesday and died, a day before he was to be released, authorities said.The name of the boy, who had an enlarged heart, was not released.He had just completed stretching exercises and was running slowly around an outdoor track at the Marvin Foote Center when he fell suddenly, said Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services, which oversees the detention center.Staff members called medical personnel, who attempted CPR, McDonough said. The boy was revived briefly, she said.

He was pronounced dead at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree. His family was called and arrived at the hospital shortly after he died.The Division of Youth Corrections will investigate the death, McDonough said.The boy was serving a seven-day court-ordered sentence for violating conditions of his probation. McDonough said he had committed a nonviolent property crime. He was scheduled to be released Thursday."Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy today are with the young man's family," said Marva Livingston Hammons, executive director of the state Human Services Department.The Marvin Foote Center, at 13500 E. Fremont Place, opened in 1997 and has 108 beds, including 20 for girls, McDonough said.

[  denverpost.com

30. JUNI 2005

USA

angebl. Suizid eines mannes im fremont county knast / colorado

Man hangs self at detention center

A Salida man facing charges of sexual assault on a minor apparently hung himself with sheets Wednesday afternoon in the Fremont County Detention Center.Fremont County Coroner Dorothy Twellman said the body of Michael David Reed, 36, was discovered by another inmate about 1:45 p.m. Reed had appeared in court earlier in the day on an advisement of new charges out of Chaffee County of violating a protection order and bond conditions. An autopsy will be performed Friday.

"I have nothing evidence-wise to suggest anyone else was involved," Twellman said.Reed leaves behind six daughters, ages 4 to 23, and a wife with whom he was separated but trying to rec-oncile, according to Twellman. He was a reporter with The Mountain Mail in Salida until April of 2004 and is a former resident of Howard.Reed originally was arrested in November on Fremont County warrants and later charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child under 15 by a person in a position of trust, a Class 3 felony; sexual assault on a child 15-18 years old by a person in a position of trust, a Class 4 felony; contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class 4 felony; and sexual exploitation of a child using inducement or enticement, a Class 4 felony.

He was free on bond and awaiting trial on the charges when he was arrested June 24 and charged with violating a protection order and bond conditions. He had been held without bond at the Chaffee County jail since the June 24 arrest and was transferred to Fremont County for Wednesday's court appearance.This is the second apparent suicide at the Fremont County Detention Center in as many years, according to Twellman.

[  canoncitydailyrecord.com

29. JUNI 2005

INDIA

am 15. juni wurde ein 45jähriger mann in einem knast in west bengal durch folter ermordet.

INDIA: Illegal detention; torture; death; impunity; rule of law

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from MASUM, a human rights organisation in West Bengal, about another custodial death of a man at the Santaragacchi Government Railway Police Outpost, (SGRPO), under Shalimar Police Station, West Bengal, India.

On 15 June 2005, Sunil Roy was travelling in a train to Howrah. According to the police version, the Railway police arrested Sunil after some passengers at Santaragacchi accused him of pick pocketing. He was then taken to the lock-up. The very same night, the Santaragacchi police informed Sunil's family of his death saying that Sunil committed suicide by hanging himself from the iron gate of the lock-up. When Sunil's family rushed to the police outpost, they were surprised to find that the police had already taken the victim's body to Howrah morgue for post mortem. Due to the absence of an autopsy surgeon at the Howrah morgue, the body was sent to Kolkata for the post mortem.

Sunil's family suspects that the police tortured him to death. The Executive Magistrate of Howrah, who held the inquest, said that the victim had torture scars on his head, nose, back and legs. Sunil's family also reported that even though Sunil's son lodged a written complaint with the Shalimar Police Station, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) did not register it as a First Information Report (FIR).

*DETAILED INFORMATION:***

*Name of the victim:** *Sunil Roy, 45 years old, son of Suresh Chandra Roy

*Address: *Shyamsunder Chack Colony, Bauria, District Howrah, West Bengal, India

*Place of incident:** *Santaragacchi Police Outpost, under the Government Railway Police Station, Shalimar

*Alleged perpetrator: Officer-in-Charge and some officers of the Santaragacchi Outpost ***

*Date of incident: 15 June 2005***

[  ahrchk.net

27. JUNI 2005

BRD

Selbsttötung eines Untersuchungshäftlings in der Jugendanstalt Neustrelitz

Ein Untersuchungshäftling der Jugendanstalt (JA) Neustrelitz hat sich in der Nacht zum Montag durch Erhängen selbst getötet. Nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen strangulierte sich der 20-Jährige mit einem Hosengürtel. Er befand sich seit Ende Mai 2005 in Untersuchungshaft, der Haftbefehl lautete auf Diebstahl.Ein Bediensteter der Jugendanstalt hatte den Suizid am Morgen bemerkt. Der unmittelbar alarmierte Arzt konnte nur noch den Tod des 20-Jährigen feststellen.Die Anstaltsleitung hat die Polizei und die Staatsanwaltschaft über den Vorfall informiert. Die Kriminalpolizei hat die Ermittlungen übernommen.

[  jm.mv-regierung.de

25. JUNI 2005

UK

suizid eines mannes im campsfield knast, ein zweiter mann wurde ins krankenhaus eingeliefert weil er eine nadel verschluckt haben soll

Asylum Seeker Found Hanged at Detention Centre

Failed asylum seekers are considering whether to continue a hunger strike today after a Turkish detention centre inmate was found hanged.Another of the centre's inmates, an Iraqi, was taken to hospital yesterday having swallowed a needle in another apparent suicide bid, campaigners claimed.The Home Office confirmed that a failed asylum seeker died at Campsfield House detention centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

A Home Office spokesman said the Turkish man was found hanged in the early hours of yesterday.He would not confirm the man?s name or age but said the death would be investigated by the prisons ombudsman and the police.The camp, where failed asylum seekers are held before deportation, has a capacity of about 180. Five of those currently being held are Zimbabweans.Bob Hughes, of the 10-year-old Campaign to Close Campsfield, said he would stage a protest at the site?s front gates today at 11am.

"We just want to show support for the people who are in there," Mr Hughes said."It's absolutely desperate for them."He added that an Iraqi man at the centre also tried to kill himself yesterday by swallowing a needle.

[  scotsman.com

25. JUNI 2005

UK

suizid eines 23 jährigen im dungavel abschiebeknast. Er gehörte zu einer gruppe von ca. 30 asylsuchenden die nach den unruhen / riots letzte woche im harmondsworth detention center in london nach dungavel gebracht worden waren.

Fury grows after Dungavel suicide

AN ASYLUM seeker has committed suicide at the controversial Dungavel detention centre, sparking fears that tensions there could erupt into violence.

The 23-year-old man, believed to have been from south-east Asia, was found in the former prison before 10pm on Friday after hanging himself. He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, where he later died.The man was said to be one of 30 asylum seekers sent to Dungavel from Harmondsworth detention centre in London, which was temporarily closed following riots last week.His death has raised fears of a fresh wave of violence among fellow detainees who were being held at Harmondsworth when trouble erupted following the suspected suicide of another asylum seeker.

The 31-year-old man was found hanged at the west London centre on Monday night. Within hours, fires were started and windows smashed, and it took prison officers almost two days to regain full control of the centre.Just weeks ago Home Secretary David Blunkett visited Dungavel and declared conditions and facilities "entirely satisfactory". He added he was impressed by its "caring and dedicated" staff.Campaigners claimed that the fact a detainee had now taken his own life at Dungavel meant the Home Secretary had "blood on his hands".There are also warnings that detainees in Dungavel, which houses the children of asylum seekers, are growing increasingly distressed with a lack of psychiatric support to help them.

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who has clients in the detention centre, said more were now threatening to take their own lives.There are also warnings that detainees in Dungavel, which houses the children of asylum seekers, are growing increasingly distressed with a lack of psychiatric support to help them.Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who has clients in the detention centre, said more were now threatening to take their own lives.He said: "This just shows how barbaric the whole system is, that a young man has taken his own life. These people have committed no crime apart from being foreigners and the Home Secretary David Blunkett has blood on his hands.

"This is another reason why Dungavel should be shut down. They should open the doors and let the people out. Other [Dungavel detainees] are right on the edge. They?ve had enough and are considering suicide because they are in such despair and can't see a way out."

The former prison, near Strathaven in Lanarkshire, has the capacity to hold almost 150 people and includes a 56-bed family unit. It has been at the centre of controversy over the conditions under which asylum seekers are kept.In 2002, refugee campaigners demanded an inquiry after a Nigerian asylum seeker held at the centre attempted to commit suicide by driving a seven-inch iron rod into his stomach.It became notorious last year following publicity over the Ay family - a Kurdish mother and her four children who were detained for more than a year while they appealed their refusal for asylum.

The case provoked calls from politicians, church leaders and human rights groups for Dungavel to be closed. And last year Scottish Socialist MSP Rosie Kane gave a temporary home to one African asylum seeker, Mercy Ikalo, and her daughter.Many Dungavel inmates are regularly on suicide watch and there have been a number of attempted suicides in the past.Home Office officials yesterday confirmed a detainee had died at Dungavel but refused to go into any further detail. A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that there was a death at Dungavel last night."

Police said there were no reports of trouble at the centre at the time of the incident.A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: "There would appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal."Dr Ian Duncan, policy and communications manager for the Scottish Refugee Council, said: "This is a tragic situation that an individual felt so bereft of hope that he found the only answer was to take his own life."Mark Brown, chairman of the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, said: "I am horrified but not surprised. In some cases, people would rather take their own lives than return to countries that are not safe."

[  scotsman.com

21. JUNI 2005

BRD

Tod eines Strafgefangenen in der Justizvollzugsanstalt Berlin / Moabit

Heute, am 21. Juni, wurde der 34jährige Strafgefangene Carsten G. um 1.15 Uhr leblos aufgefunden. Er hatte sich mit Schnürsenkeln am Fenster seines Haftraumes erhängt.Der Arzt vom Dienst konnte nur noch den Tod feststellen. Auf Grund seiner Drogenabhängigkeit war Carsten G. im Vollzug stündlich kontrolliert worden. Es hatte keinerlei Anzeichen für eine Suizidgefährdung gegeben.Carsten G. befand sich seit dem 19. Juni 2005 in der JVA Moabit, nachdem seine Haftstrafe zu Therapiezwecken zunächst zurückgestellt worden war. Er hätte bis August 2007 noch mehrere Freiheitsstrafen wegen verschiedener Vermögensdelikte zu verbüßen gehabt.

[  berlin.de

21. JUNI 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod eines mannes im j.reuben long knast / south carolina.

Inmate dies while in Horry detention center's care

A 51-year-old inmate at J. Reuben Long Detention Center died Sunday at a Charleston hospital and the death is being investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division, detention-center officials said. Michael D. Watkins of Aynor died at 6:06 p.m. Sunday of natural causes at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, said Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Dan Bellamy.He is was the second inmate to die this year while in the detention center's care and the fourth since 2003, Detention Center Director Joe Johnson said. Another inmate died in February, he said.Watkins was jailed the Wednesday before his death. Johnson said Watkins was held in the facility's medical unit from his first day. He would not reveal the nature of Watkins' medical condition. Watkins was charged with violation of order of protection and simple assault.

Johnson said an autopsy was performed on Watkins on Monday morning. Results are expected this week. He said SLED has been asked to determine whether any foul play might have been involved. Watkins was found about 10:15 p.m. Friday on his back in one of the eight cells in the medical unit, Johnson said.

He was taken to Conway Medical Center and then transferred to Charleston. Johnson said medical staff at the detention center make three checks daily of inmates in the medical unit and their last check Friday was about 9:15 p.m. He didn't say whether the medical staff member noted any problems with Watkins at that time. An officer checked on Watkins and other medical unit inmates about 10 p.m. and cited no problems. When an officer checked again at 10:15, Watkins was not responsive.

[  myrtlebeachonline.com

21. JUNI 2005

USA

angebl. Suizid einer frau im solano county jail / california

Sheriff struggles with suicides in county jail

FAIRFIELD - A nurse who works for a medical group that helps several Northern California counties determine which incoming jail inmates might be suicidal took her own life early Saturday after being booked into the Solano County jail, authorities said. Marrisa Emiko Honda, 32, was booked into jail at 4:29 a.m. and was found unresponsive exactly 31 minutes later, apparently after killing herself by using a 10-inch-long jail cell telephone cord to choke off blood flow to her brain. She was rushed to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield where doctors pronounced her dead a few minutes later.

"This is a terrible, terrible tragedy," Sheriff Gary R. Stanton said Monday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time." State records show that Honda was a licensed vocational nurse working out of Napa County. Sheriff's investigators said they believe she worked for California Forensic Medical Group, Inc., a Monterey-based company that provides jail medical services to several Bay Area counties, including Solano. Honda is thought to have lived in Napa County and worked for CFMG at the Napa County jail although officials with neither the medical group nor Napa County could be reached to confirm that information late Monday. The series of events that led to Honda's suicide began early Saturday morning while she and her sister were traveling on Interstate 80 near the truck scales in Cordelia.

Sheriff's investigators said that Honda and her sister, whose identity was not available, were in the midst of a heated argument when at some point Honda is believed to have yanked the car's steering wheel, causing it veer across several lanes. The movement of the car in turn caught the attraction of a California Highway Patrol officer who pulled the sisters over. It was at that point Honda was suspected of being under the influence and arrested. A short time later she was driven to the Solano County jail for booking. Stanton said that as Honda was cooperative and answered the jail staff's questions, including one where is she is asked if she had thought about hurting herself.

"She responded initially 'Yes,' " Stanton said. "When we followed up with another, more direct question about whether she was actually feeling suicidal, she told our staff 'Yes, I have thought about hurting myself, but not right now.' " Stanton said Honda displayed no other behaviors that would prompt the jail staff to segregate her for special needs or for special observation by the jail staff. 2While our investigation is on going, it appears this case was handled by the book. I don't believe there was anything we could have done to anticipate her actions,2 Stanton said.

Meanwhile, the sheriff said he was saddened by Honda's suicide and has members of his staff studying if the state-mandated telephones in the jail can be made more suicide-proof. Honda's suicide follows the Feb. 9, 2004 death of Roberto Soto who three days earlier choked off the blood supply to his brain by leaning his neck against a cell telephone cord. Stanton said that before the Soto incident, the phone cords had been 36 inches long - the pay phone industry standard.

However, concerned that inmates might hurt themselves, jailers had the cords shortened to 12 inches. Then, shortly after Soto's suicide, the staff had the cords cut to just 10 inches. The sheriff says his agency is in a quandary over what to do - on one hand, state law requires that intake cells have telephones and that inmates be afforded a certain degree of privacy to carry on a conversation with their attorneys, bail bond agents or loved ones.

On the other hand the phones - even with their cords cut to 10 inches - continue to offer a way for suicidal inmates to hurt themselves. Stanton said jail staff have considered and largely rejected "speaker" phones because their use cannot guarantee an inmate's privacy. Likewise, phones with "break-away" cords have been rejected out of a fear the loose handset could be used as a weapon. "There's got to be some kind of telephone technology out there that will provide us an answer,"1 Stanton said.

[  dailyrepublic.com

20. JUNI 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod eines mannes im horray county knast / south carolina

Horry County detention center inmate dies

An Horry County inmate has died days after being found unresponsive in his cell, authorities said. An officer found inmate Michael D. Watkins, 51, of Aynor, unresponsive in his cell around 10:15 p.m. Friday, according to a release from the detention center. Watkins was taken to Conway Hospital then transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he was pronounced dead Sunday evening. The State Law Enforcement Division began a routine inquiry into the death this weekend, said Joey Johnson, deputy detention director. An autopsy was performed Monday morning. Results should be made available Tuesday, according to the Horry County coroner's office. Watkins was arrested Wednesday and charged with violating a protection order and simple assault, Johnson said.

[  tuscaloosanews.com

19. JUNI 2005

AUSTRALIA

suizid sowie mehrere suizidversuche im abschiebeknast in villawood.

13 detainees slash wrists at Villawood

ONE woman attempted suicide and a dozen other Chinese detainees slashed their wrists at Villawood detention centre yesterday afternoon in what refugee advocates said was a desperate bid to avoid deportation. The Federal Government's softening of its detention policy was also believed to be behind the dramatic events. Witnesses said they saw 12 male detainees lying on the ground in an open area of the detention centre but they were hustled away by prison guards.

The woman, Xiao Na Huang, 41, was taken to Bankstown hospital. Another female Chinese detainee, 51, was taken to hospital with heart problems, apparently after the shock of seeing her friend's suicide attempt. It is understood all except one of the detainees had been in Villawood for six months or less. Refugee advocates said they believed the group was concerned about the detention changes, negotiated between Prime Minister John Howard and rebel Liberal MPs on Friday, because they overlooked single men. A Department of Immigration spokesman confirmed a "small group" of people had "self harmed" inside the detention centre, but refused to say how many or how seriously they were injured.

A spokesman for Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said: "Self harm is not a form of protest the Government condones. I urge anyone - media, advocates and others - not to encourage such protests." A visitor to the centre yesterday, Bella Cambre, 21, said all visitors had been ordered out. "They said, 'You have to go outside; everybody go outside because something's happening'." Her boyfriend, a detainee, phoned her to say that a group of Asian detainees had slashed their wrists. It is believed that the group comprised Chinese nationals who were placed in Villawood's isolation centre last month and interrogated by Chinese officials.

Outside the detention centre, refugee advocate Jamal Daoud said the group feared they were about to be deported because they had been denied asylum. He said detainees told him one woman cut her wrists at 1.20pm and a second woman with a heart condition fainted. Then a group of 12 Chinese men in another section cut their arms in protest. While the two women were taken to hospital, the 12 men lay on the ground for two to three hours, he said. "Nobody cared. Then they were taken to stage one inside the detention centre, which is the high security part of the detention centre. "We believe the attempted suicides were a protest at the deal between Prime Minister Howard and [Liberal backbencher] Petro Georgiou as it will not let them see freedom."

Refugee advocate Ian Rintoul said a group of Chinese Government officials went into Villawood on Thursday and spoke to several Chinese detainees. "I understand they gave them pamphlets about Falun Gong," he said. Under the changes softening the Government's mandatory detention regime, women and children will be freed into the community, people on temporary protection visas will be reassessed for permanent residency and the cases of long-term detainees reopened. Legislation to enact the changes will be introduced in Parliament this week after Mr Howard dramatically bowed to demands of moderate Liberal MPs, led by Mr Georgiou, on Friday.

[  smh.com.au

18. JUNI 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod eines mannes im whitley county knast / indiana

Man found dead in Whitley County Jail

A 26-year-old man was found dead in the Whitley County Jail on Friday morning. Michael J. Miller was found about 6:45 a.m. in his cell, according to a Whitley County Sheriff?s Department report. The death is under investigation by the Whitley County Sheriff?s Department, Indiana State Police, Whitley County Coroner?s Office and Allen County Coroner?s Office. An autopsy is planned, police said. Questions were directed to the Whitley County Sheriff?s Department. A person answering the phone Friday at the sheriff?s department directed questions to the jail. A person who answered the phone at the jail Friday declined to comment.

[  fortwayne.com

17. JUNI 2005

BRD

Tod in der Zellentoilette im Gefängnis in Halle

Gonna/MZ.  Anna C. ist tot. Die 57-Jährige aus Gonna - wegen Mordes an ihrem Geliebten zu lebenslanger Haft verurteilt - hat sich am Freitag in der Justizvollzugsanstalt Halle I ("Roter Ochse") das Leben genommen. Sie soll sich mit dem Deckel einer Blechbüchse die Halsschlagader aufgeschnitten haben. Kurz nach 6 Uhr wurde C. blutüberströmt von einer Mitgefangenen in der Toilette ihrer Zelle gefunden. Sie war da offenbar bereits tot. Die Frau aus Gonna hatte im Juli 2003 erst versucht, ihren langjährigen Liebhaber mit dem Pflanzenschutzmittel BI 58 zu vergiften und in dann mit mindestens 18 Messerstichen getötet. Grund: Der 56-jährige Möbelhändler wollte sich von ihr trennen. Das Opfer sei völlig arg- und wehrlos gewesen, stellte das Landgericht Halle im April 2004 in seinem Urteil fest.

Mit dem Strafmaß lebenslang gingen die Richter deutlich über den Antrag der Staatsanwaltschaft hinaus. Wegen Zweifeln an der vollen Schuldfähigkeit hatte die Anklage nur elf Jahre Haft beantragt. C.s Verteidiger Volker Buchwald plädierte damals sogar nur für eine Bewährungsstrafe von nicht mehr als zwei Jahren wegen Totschlags. Die Tat sei ein Affektdelikt gewesen. Er muss damit große Hoffnungen bei Anna C. geweckt haben: Der Schock über die lebenslange Haft war so groß, dass sie bei der Urteilsverkündung zusammenbrach. Eine Revision war vor einiger Zeit vom Bundesgerichtshof verworfen worden.

[  mz-web.de

17. JUNE 2005

BRD

Tod einer Gefangenen in Frauenabteilung der JVA Halle I

Magdeburg/Halle (MJ). In der Frauenabteilung der Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Halle I ("Roter Ochse") hat sich in der Nacht zum Freitag eine 57-jährige Gefangene das Leben genommen. Die Frau wurde im Haftraum von ihrer Mitgefangenen leblos aufgefunden. Die Gefangene befand sich seit Juli 2003 zunächst als Untersuchungsgefangene und später als Strafgefangene in Haft. Sie war wegen Mordes zu einer lebenslangen Freiheitsstrafe verurteilt worden.

[  asp.sachsen-anhalt.de

14. JUNI 2005

USA

two men died because of the wrong medicine.

[  Full Article

[  rockymountainnews.com

13. JUNI 2005

USA

angebl. Suizid im marion county knast / florida

Murder Suspect Commits Suicide In Jail

An Ocala man who was charged in the death of a 3 year old boy is dead today, after he committed suicide Sunday. 28 year old Charles Reed was arrested on Friday and charged with murder and child abuse after his girlfriend's child was found unresponsive early that morning. Marion County Sheriff's spokesman Captain Dennis Strow says Reed refused to answer questions in the boy's death but that did not stop the state attorney's office from pressing charges. Marion County deputies collected enough evidence from the crime scene and interviews to charge Reed.

Reed was watching the child while the mother was at work. The boy had been beaten and had second degrees burns over much of his body. Strow says it is not yet known if Reed had a prior history of abusing the child, but the child was doing fine on Thursday evening. Strow says that an investigation will continue despite Reed's suicide. Reed was in protective custody at the Marion County Jail when he hung himself. The suicide attempt apparently was during the 30 minute interval between routine inmate checks by corrections officers. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the suicide. FDLE public information officer Sharon Gogerty says FDLE will not comment on an on-going investigation, but says whenever there is an inmate death, FDLE investigates.

[  am850.com

10. JUNI 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod einer frau im davidson county knast / north carolina.

Woman found dead in detention center cell

LEXINGTON, N.C. - Authorities are looking into the death of a 46-year-old woman found unresponsive in a cell at the Davidson County Detention Center. However, relatives of Distalee Meade Hernandez suspect she had been bitten by a spider. Hernandez reportedly wrote a letter to one of her three children saying she'd been bitten.

[  news14.com

08. JUNI 2005

BRD

Rentner schoss um sich - «Gestörtes Verhältnis» zu Polizisten

Bielefeld (ddp). Nach den Schüssen auf drei Polizisten in Bielefeld und dem anschließenden Freitod des mutmaßlichen Täters gibt es erste Hinweise auf das Motiv des Mannes. Wie die Polizei mitteilte, hatte der 64-Jährige offenbar ein «gestörtes Verhältnis zu Vollzugsbeamten». Er habe auf die Ordnungshüter gefeuert, als diese ihn in seiner Wohnung in Bielefeld zu einem Haftantritt abholen wollten. Bei der Stürmung der Wohnung durch Beamte eines Spezialeinsatzkommandos (SEK) hatte sich der Beschuldigte dann selbst in den Kopf geschossen und tödlich verletzt.

Nach Polizeiangaben erlitt der Mann so schwere Verletzungen, dass er noch am Tatort starb. Polizisten hätten bei dem Einsatz nicht geschossen, hieß es. In der Wohnung wurde eine Pistole sowie Munition entdeckt. Wie der Mann in den Besitz der Waffe kam, ist derzeit noch unbekannt.Gegen den 64-Jährigen lag laut Polizei ein Haftbefehl wegen Widerstands gegen Vollstreckungsbeamte und Körperverletzung vor. Er hatte noch eine Freiheitsstrafe von 120 Tagen zu verbüßen und sollte daher festgenommen werden. Zudem war der Mann bei der Polizei als notorischer Querulant bekannt, gegen den wiederholt unter anderem wegen Widerstand, Körperverletzung und Beleidigung ermittelt worden war.

[  e110.de

06. JUNI 2005

SRI LANKA

im knast der weliweriya und pitigala polizeiwache wurde ein mann so sehr gefoltert daß er an den verletzungen gestorben ist.

Custodial death of 53-year-old man following severe and repeated torture

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from a reliable source regarding the death of a 53-year-old man after allegedly being severely and repeatedly tortured while under police custody following his arrest on 29 May 2005. The police allegedly arrested the victim on the charge of theft. It was reported that during the arrest, policemen from the Weliweriya and Pitigala Police Station subjected the victim to severe beatings. An attempt to conceal the circumstances behind the victim's death was also reported when police did not properly inform his relatives that the victim had died. The relatives come to know of the victim's death only a day after he had died.

On June 1 a post-mortem was performed on the body; the results of which are yet to be released. The body was then transferred to Colombo North Hospital in Ragama to undergo forensic examination. The Magistrate is set to conduct an inquiry on this case on June 6.

[  ahrchk.net

06. JUNI 2005

BRD

Tod eines Untersuchungsgefangenen im Krankenhaus der Berliner Vollzugsanstalten

Heute morgen wurde der Untersuchungsgefangene Klaus-Peter W. (46) im Krankenhaus der Berliner Vollzugsanstalten in Moabit um 5.40 Uhr bei einer Kontrolle leblos aufgefunden.Reanimationsmaßnahmen wurden sofort durch die diensthabende Ärztin des Krankenhauses und anschließend durch den zusätzlich herbeigerufenen Notarzt durchgeführt, wobei sich zunächst noch Herzaktionen mit Kammerflimmern zeigten. Um 6.35 Uhr konnte jedoch nur noch der Tod festgestellt werden.Die Kriminalpolizei wurde benachrichtigt, die Obduktion zur Feststellung der Todesursache wurde veranlasst.Klaus-Peter W. befand sich seit 26. Mai 2005 in der JVA Moabit. Weil er über zeitweise Atembeschwerden klagte, befand er sich seitdem auch in anstaltsärztlicher Behandlung. Eine beratende Hinzuziehung eines HNO-Facharztes lehnte er jedoch am 1. Juni ab. Nachdem er am Morgen des 5. Juni erneut über Beschwerden klagte, wurde er vorsorglich in das Haftkrankenhaus verlegt. Anzeichen für eine akute Ateminsuffizienz waren bei mehreren Kontrollen gestern nicht objektivierbar.Klaus-Peter W. befand sich seit 26. Mai wegen des Verdachts auf Verstoß gegen das Betäubungsmittelgesetz in Untersuchungshaft in der Justizvollzugsanstalt in Moabit.

[  berlin.de

03. JUNI 2005

USA

klage gegen den marion county knast wegen dem tod eines mannes im mai 2003

Mother files lawsuit over son's death in Marion County jail

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Authorities in Marion County are facing a federal lawsuit filed by the mother of an inmate who died at the county jail in May of 2003. The mother of John Courchesne Jr., is charging that her son suffered a heart attack while being pushed by deputies into a restraining chair used to control difficult inmates, according to an autopsy performed by the state medical examiner's office. Courchesne's mother, Carol Fountain of Massachusetts, filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Eugene. It seeks unspecified damages. Kevin Rau, a spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Department, said authorities there have not yet reviewed the lawsuit. In August of 2003, Marion County prosecutors found no wrongdoing in Courchesne's death, based on an independent investigation by the Linn County Sheriff's office.

[  oregonlive.com

02. JUNI 2005

EGYPT

ungeklärter tod eines mannes im knast von menouf.

Arbitary Arrest / Suspicious death in detention

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Egypt.

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR), a member of the OMCT network, of its suspicions over the circumstances of the death of Mr. Ashraf Youssef, in Menouf, Menoufiyya in Egypt. According to the information received, Mr. Ashraf Youssef was arrested on 29 April 2005 in Menouf. He was suspected of ordering the al Azhar and Abdel Moneim Riyadh bombings, which occurred in April and May respectively. Upon arrest, Mr. Youssef was prevented from meeting with his lawyer and his lawyer was barred from attending his interrogation. In violation of the Criminal Procedures Code and the Constitution, the place of his arrest was not clearly specified and he did not contact his family from the time of his arrest until his death on 11 May 2005. According to information received, officials attributed Mr. Youssef?s death to him being disturbed and repeatedly banged his head against the walls. According to the information received, the Public Prosecutor?s Office ordered an autopsy, the results of which are still pending.

[  pambazuka.org

02. JUNE 2005

USA

am 26. mai 2005 wurde harrison owens von einem polizisten erschossen.

Community enraged by another police killing

The family and friends of Harrison Owens gathered for a vigil May 28 in the parking lot on Colfax and Logan. This is where, on May 26, Denver police officer Michael Wyatt shot Owens in the back, killing him.Family and friends listened to some of Owens' favorite songs. The mood was not somber but angry. The family vowed that justice will be done-and that they will unite with others whose family members were also killed by cops.

The vigil was organized by Shareef Aleem, the embattled African-American activist who has been targeted by the Denver Police Department. He, along with Owens' friends and family, told reporters of their anger and frustration with the cops in Denver and the surrounding areas.Larry Hales of Denver FIST-Fight Imperialism-Stand Together-told of the problems he had with the police in the neighborhood when he lived there, and also with the racist gentrifying groups and the cop-like Guardian Angels.

A cop car passed by the May 28 vigil three times, its driver going slowly to look at the gatherers along with seven members of the Angels. The Angels left when Hales along with Harrison?s family members demanded that they leave.These reactionary groups were rallied by a city council member to put pressure on cops to be even more aggressive toward Black people and the many homeless people who sleep around the area known as the Molly Brown Neighborhood.

The police department has come out with two conflicting stories of Owens' death.

According to the police, a man flagged down the cop, Wyatt, saying that Owens had just robbed him. Wyatt chased Owens to the parking lot. The alleged robbery victim yelled, ?He?s got a gun.? Owens pointed a gun at Wyatt, and Wyatt fired one shot, hitting Owens in the back. The other story is that Owens was running and pointing the gun at Wyatt and that he turned around.The family has found holes in the police department?s story. They say Owens, a father of two and a landscaper, was unjustly killed and that the media and cops are smearing his name. The media have sought to bring up the 31-year-old?s past and label him a criminal to justify the shooting.

Two homeless men witnessed the shooting. One was sleeping in bushes a few feet away and heard the incident. The other watched from across the street.All the witnesses say that Owens got into a fight with a man outside of a bar, began running when the cops started chasing him and that Owens yelled that he had a gun and Owens looked like he wanted to surrender. He then moved his right hand and was shot once in the back.

Many believe that this was another unjustified shooting committed by the DPD in a neighborhood that has become an occupied battleground; cops often carry out sweeps and arrest whole groups of Black men, planting evidence on the young men as an excuse for police brutality.The fascistic tactics of the police and police-supporting groups like the Guar dian Angels that roam this neighborhood are coming under more scrutiny. Activists and the families have stated that the murder of Owens is the last straw. They are pledging to work together to stop police killings.

[  

01. JUNI 2005

USA

angebl. Suizid eines mannes im tacoma knast / washington.

Jail inmate in Tacoma dies of apparently deliberate drug overdose

TACOMA, Wash. -- A man convicted of killing another man after finding his estranged wife at the other man's house committed suicide in jail by overdosing on prescription medication, authorities said. Robert James Lemieux, 40, was found dead in his cell early Saturday, two days after he was convicted of first-degree murder and arson in the shooting of Terry Eugene Rohr, Pierce County sheriff's Detective Ed Troyer said. He was scheduled for sentencing July 1.

Lemieux left a suicide note, Troyer said. Contents of the note were not released. Troyer said Lemieux apparently pretended to take his prescription medication for some time and stored a dose big enough to be fatal. The medication was not disclosed. Lemieux was arrested after Rohr was shot to death July 21. According to testimony in Lemieux's trial, he told detectives he went to Rohr's house near Eabonville that morning to see whether his estranged wife was having an affair and set fire to the front porch to "smoke them out."

He said he had not intended to kill Rohr and brought a .35-caliber rifle only for protection but fired several shots at the other man in anger when he saw the two run outside to escape the flames. His estranged wife escaped injury.

[  seattlepi.nwsource.com

27. MAI 2005

IRAQ

ein gefangener des militärknastes abu ghraib wurde während der fahrt zu einem krankenhaus erschossen.

US probes fatality at Abu Ghraib jail

Abu Ghraib is notorious for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners The US military has launched an investigation into the death of an Iraqi inmate who was shot at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib jail, an army statement says.

The brief statement gave no information on the circumstances of the shooting which took place on Friday. "An Abu Ghraib detainee died from gunshot wounds on 27 May at approximately 5am after being transported to a coalition medical treatment facility," the statement said. "The incident is under investigation." Abu Ghraib was one of Saddam Hussein's most notorious jails, and was taken over by US forces following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Last year photographs surfaced showing the abuse and sexual humiliation of prisoners by US troops at the jail.

Several US soldiers have been court martialed over the abuse, and the alleged ringleader, Charles Graner, was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

[  english.aljazeera.net

24. MAI 2005

EGYPT

Tod im Gefängnis

Wie Reuters bereits am Samstag meldete, ist am Donnerstag der vergangenen Woche ein des Terrorismus Verdächtiger aufgrund von Verletzungen, die er in einem ägyptischen Gefängnis erlitt, gestorben.Ashraf Said Youssef wurde vorgeworfen, Anführer einer Gruppe von Terroristen gewesen zu sein, die für die Anschläge im April dieses Jahres in Ägypten war. Bei den Anschlägen waren neben den Attentätern drei Menschen getötet und sieben weitere verletzt worden. Nach Darstellung des Büros des ägyptischen Generalstaatsanwalts wurde Youssef am 11. Mai in ein Krankenhaus eingeliefert.

"Das Büro des Generalstaatsanwalts wurde durch einen Polizeibericht darüber informiert, daß der beschuldigte Ashraf Said Youssef, während er sich in dem Raum, in dem er inhaftiert war, aufhielt, von einem Zustand der Erregung befallen war, während dessen er absichtlich seinen Kopf gegen die Wand des Raumes schlug", so eine Quelle innerhalb der Sicherheitsbehörden. "Er wurde ins Krankenhaus gebracht, als dies dazu führte, daß er das Bewußtsein verlor."Im April war bereits Youssefs Cousin in Polizeigewahrsam unter "ungeklärten Umständen" verstorben.Der von der Regierung finanzierte "Oberste Rat für Menschenrechte" erklärte in seinem in diesem Jahr zum ersten Mal vorgelegten Bericht, daß in Ägypten im vergangenen Jahr mindestens neun Menschen in Gefangenschaft gestorben seien und daß Folter in Haftanstalten des Landes üblich sei.Ägypten zählt zu jenen Ländern, in die US-Gefangene regelmäßig "für Befragungen verlegt" werden.

[  freace.de

Egypt Rights Group Urges Investigation into Prison Death of Suspected Terrorist

Egypt's leading human rights group has called for an investigation into the violent death of a jailed suspected terrorist.Officials said Ashraf Saeed Youssef died in prison last Thursday after intentionally smashing his head against a wall. The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights says he may have been tortured while in detention.Prosecutors accused him of leading a group responsible for several recent attacks on foreigners. They say he organized the April 7 suicide bombing in Cairo that killed three foreigners and the April 30 attacks on the Egyptian Museum and a tourist bus that wounded seven people.The human rights group said Ashraf Saeed Youssef's cousin also died in police custody earlier this month. There were no details available on his death.

[  politinfo.com

23. MAI 2005

USA

anbebl. suizid im ravalli knast / montana.

Detention center inmate dies

Five jailed suspects have committed or attempted suicide in 15 months On Friday, officers at the Ravalli County Detention Center found inmate Scott W. Lewis dead in his cell, apparently of suicide, the third such incident this year. The victim was found shortly before noon, according to a press release. Lewis, 39, was taken to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital where he died.

He was in jail on two felony counts of allegedly selling methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and partner or family member assault. Lewis had been in court as recently as Wednesday when the judge denied a motion to suppress evidence. Sheriff Chris Hoffman said he is baffled with the series of suicides. "We have taken extraordinary precautions," Hoffman said. "We have brought mental health (counselors) into the jail no less than 10 times in the last several weeks to speak to inmates we were concerned about or who had requested mental health counseling."

It's not known if Lewis was one of the inmates evaluated by a counselor. A press conference has been scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. in front of the Sheriff's office to give more details regarding the death, according to the press release. In the past 15 months five detention center inmates have killed themselves or attempted to commit suicide. Less than a month ago Ryan G. Heath of Hamilton died by his own hand in the detention center, and Brad Palin hanged himself in March while in custody.

In September detention officers saved a man's life who had attempted suicide, and last February an inmate hanged himself while behind bars. A corner's inquest ruled that death a suicide. Before last year it had been more than six years since an inmate had died at the detention center, according to officials.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation of the most recent suicide and a corner's inquest will be held. An inquest is convened if a person dies at the hands of an officer, regardless of the circumstances surrounding that death, or if the person was in custody of law enforcement officers or jailed at the time of death. Powell County Coroner John Pohle will preside over the inquest.

[  ravallinews.com

23. MAI 2005

USA

angebl. suizid im elmwood knast / florida.

SANTA CLARA CO. JAIL INMATE MAY HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE

An inmate who apparently committed suicide at Elmwood Correctional Facility on Saturday has been identified as 22-year-old Thomas Adeyem, according to a Santa Clara County medical examiner's spokeswoman. Adeyem was discovered unconscious on the floor by his cellmate at 4:23 a.m. as guards were preparing to serve breakfast, jail spokesman Mark Cursi said.

Adeyem had affixed a bed sheet to a portion of the upper bunk and tied it around his neck. He was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to four counts of rape earlier this month. Cursi said the death has not been definitively ruled a suicide pending an autopsy scheduled for today. However Adeyem's cellmate is not suspected of having any involvement in the death. Adeyem was arrested in November 2004 and faced a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. He had been living in Phoenix, Ariz. at the time of his arrest.

If the death is ruled a suicide, it would be the second this year. Cursi said the last suicide occurred in the Main Jail on April 4. There was one suicide in 2004.

[  cbs5.com

19. MAI 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod eines mannes im yankton knast.

Investigators to examine death of Yankton Jail prisoner

Yankton Police Chief Duane Heeney said Todd Hoffman of Yankton, 35, was found unresponsive in his jail cell at about 9 p.m. Wednesday. Hoffman was transported to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later, Heeney said. Hoffman was under arrest for felony drug offenses after police were called to a Yankton residence to remove a "disruptive individual" believed to be under the influence of drugs. Heeney says a DCI investigation is standard procedure in such cases.

[  zwire.com

18. MAI 2005

USA

ein 65 jähriger mann wurde tod in seiner zelle aufgefunden

south carolina

Inmate death reported at Aiken detention center An inmate at the Aiken County Detention Center died late Tuesday in his cell. The inmate has been identified as 65-year-old William F. Ayers of Blackville. "About 5:30pm, a detention officer discovered Ayers sweating profusely and having difficulty breathing," said Captain Barney Eagerton, of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. An autopsy to determine cause of death is underway in Newberry, South Carolina. Ayers had been held at the Aiken County Detention Center since April 29 pending a hearing and trial in accordance with the Sexually Violent Predator Act.

[  wistv.com

17. MAI 2005

BRD

Tod eines Strafgefangenen in der Justizvollzugsanstalt Tegel

BERLIN,
Am 13. Mai 2005, um 16.10 Uhr, wurde der Strafgefangene Michael R. (40) leblos aufgefunden. Er hatte sich am Fensterkreuz eines abgetrennten Toilettenraumes seines mehrfach belegten Haftraumes erhängt.Sofort eingeleitete Wiederbelebungsversuche durch zwei Bedienstete der Justizvollzugsanstalt blieben ohne Erfolg. Der herbeigerufene Notarzt konnte nur noch den Tod feststellen.Michael R. befand sich seit 10. August 2004 zur Verbüßung einer Freiheitsstrafe von 2 Jahren wegen räuberischen Diebstahls und zweier Ersatzfreiheitsstrafen wegen Diebstahls in Haft. Das Haftende war für den 25. Januar 2007 notiert.

[  berlin.de

15. MAI 2005

USA

ein 47 jähriger mann wurde erhängt in einer zelle des stadtknastes in san diego aufgefunden.

Inmate Found Hanging In Downtown Jail Cell

Autopsy To Determine Cause Of Death

An autopsy was pending Sunday for an inmate found hanging from his neck by a bed sheet in his downtown jail cell. The 47-year-old man, whose name was not available as of early Sunday, was declared dead at UCSD Medical Center at 3:38 a.m., authorities said. At around 2:45 a.m., deputies found the man hanging in his cell at San Diego Central Jail, a sheriff's detective said. The autopsy, scheduled for Sunday, should show the proximate cause of death. Authorities, who suspect suicide, did not say why the man was in jail.

[  10news.com

14. MAI 2005

USA

angebl. suizid eines 40 jährigen mannes in einem knast in der bronx

Burglary suspect hangs self in custody, police say

A key suspect in a Pelham Manor burglary hanged himself in a Bronx detention center just days before he was to face charges in the village, police said.Blood evidence tied Jay LaBanca, 40, to the Thanksgiving Day burglary of a Shore Road home, said Detective Kenneth Campion. The burglar apparently cut himself on a window during the break-in, but it took a while to get a hit on a criminal data base, Detective Christopher MacAvoy said.With LaBanca's criminal record, he was "to go back to jail for a very long time" if convicted of this charge, MacAvoy said.La Banca hanged himself Sunday while being held for a parole violation. MacAvoy said LaBanca had tried to escape the parole office after signing in for his appointment."He took off running when he was told he was being held for questioning by Pelham Manor police," he said.MacAvoy said village police had questioned LaBanca earlier, on April 5, and had planned to pick him up on Thursday.None of the stolen jewelry was recovered, MacAvoy said, and police were still looking for a second man.

[  thejournalnews.com

10. MAI 2005

USA

mann angebl. an einer überdosis heroin gestorben 2 gefangene werden jetzt beschuldigt/ angeklagt

Two charged in Rock County Jail inmate's death

Minutes after snorting heroin off of a playing card in a Rock County Jail bathroom, Anthony Ray ran back in and threw up. "This is how you know it's good," Ray told another inmate who also had snorted a line of the heroin and also was throwing up. "You don't get high unless you puke," Ray told him. Hours later, Ray was found not breathing in his bunk. He was rushed that morning, Jan. 26, to Mercy Hospital in Janesville, where he was pronounced dead. Prosecutors on Monday charged two of Ray's fellow jail inmates with party to reckless homicide, saying they providing the drugs that killed Ray.

Lucas J. Gardner, 20, of 3611 S. Read Road, Janesville, and Frank Perez, 20, of 1707 Mary St., Beloit, are charged under the state's Len Bias law, so-called because it was prompted by the death of Bias, a college basketball star who died of a cocaine overdose in 1986. Gardner and Perez also are charged with party to delivery of cocaine and party to delivery of heroin. Perez admitted to detectives that he bought $60 worth of heroin and $40 worth of cocaine in South Beloit, Ill., and gave the drugs to Gardner, who admitted to detectives that he smuggled them into the jail in a plastic bag hidden in his rectum, according to the criminal complaint. All three of the men-Perez, Gardner and Ray-were inmates in the jail's Huber dormitory. Perez bought the drugs and gave them to Gardner while they both were out on work release, according to the criminal complaint. A fourth inmate, Daniel Fehr, told investigators that on the night of Jan. 26 he was invited by Ray and Perez into a jail bathroom. He said Perez crushed up something on a playing card, and Ray told him, "Come over here. Go ahead. Do one of these," according to the complaint.

Fehr snorted one of the two lines of crushed powder. Ten minutes later, however, he was back in the bathroom throwing up. A few seconds later, Ray came into the bathroom and threw up, too. Ray, 27, of Eastman was found lying unresponsive in his bunk at 8:30 the next morning. An autopsy did not give a clear indication what caused his death, but authorities learned Wednesday that tests on his blood indicated a lethal dose of drugs. The tests showed both cocaine and heroin, according to the criminal complaint.

Ray had been serving a jail sentence for violating his probation. He was transferred to the Rock County Jail on Oct. 6 from another facility and worked at IKI Manufacturing in Edgerton. He was due to be released from jail Feb. 4-nine days after his death. Lt. William Harper, head of detectives at the sheriff's department, said it's impossible for jail staff to prevent inmates from smuggling drugs and other contraband into the jail. He said inmates are routinely strip searched, but courts have ruled that body cavity searches are out of bounds unless jailers have a search warrant or evidence that a crime is being committed.

"You can't go beyond what's visible," Harper said. "You can't perform a body cavity search without some evidence to believe that something is being concealed." Inmates routinely conceal tobacco, rolling paper, matches, lighters as well as drugs in body cavities to smuggle them into jail, Harper said. "People who are incarcerated are determined to smuggle illegal items into the facility," Harper said. "They will be able to do it at some point. They spend a lot of time planning and plotting, and it's almost impossible to prevent it from happening." Gardner and Perez remain locked in the Rock County Jail on cash bonds after their initial court appearances Monday.

[  gazetteextra.com

10.MAI 2005

USA

angebl. suizid einer frau im johnston county knast / texas, dann zwei tage später die meldung es sei ein unfall gewesen.

Woman's death at jail is ruled accidental

Franklin -- The death of a 42-year-old Johnson County Jail inmate has been ruled accidental. Miestrella Morning fell while climbing from her upper bunk bed onto a ladder at 4:35 p.m. Friday and was taken to Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin for treatment. She was released from the hospital and returned to the jail. However, jailers returned Morning to the hospital at 10 p.m. Friday after she continued to complain about headaches and nausea. She was released from the hospital a second time and returned to the jail. Morning was found dead at 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a jail holding cell, where she had been kept for close observation. She had been incarcerated since March for a probation violation relating to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and operating a vehicle while under the influence, jail officials said. Johnson County Coroner David Lutz said Morning was in an upper bunk as food trays were being delivered to her cell. "A jailer was there when it happened, and immediate help was there," Lutz said. "I have reviewed the jail's videotapes, too. She was taken to the hospital twice." Lutz said Morning died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen. He said she had other medical problems, but they did not play a factor in her death.

[  indystar.com

08.MAI 2005

Female prisoner, 42, found dead in jail cell

Franklin -- A prisoner at the Johnson County Jail was found dead Saturday in a holding cell hours after she fell off the upper bunk of a bed in her cell. Miestrella Morning, 42, fell off her bunk bed at 4:35 p.m. Friday and was taken to Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin for treatment, said Johnson County Jail Maj. David Emery. When Morning was returned to the jail, she complained about headaches and nausea and was taken again to the hospital at 10 p.m. Friday. At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Morning was found dead in a holding cell, where she was being kept for close observation. Morning had been incarcerated since March for a probation violation relating to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and operating a vehicle while under the influence, Emery said.

[  indystar.com

7. MAI 2005

USA

am 5. mai floh ein gefangener während der fahrt zum knast,und wurde bei einer anschließenden verfolgungsjagd erschossen.

ABI looks at inmate escape

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is investigating how a state inmate who was being transported to court was able to overpower the deputy who was escorting him Thursday and lead authorities on a high-speed chase through four counties before being shot to death. Law enforcement officers said Ronald Stallworth, 45, attacked a part-time St. Clair County deputy, identified as Glenn Wilson by the Associated Press, with a nail while traveling on Alabama 145 in Chilton County. Stallworth stabbed the deputy repeatedly with the nail. Stallworth stole Wilson's gun and patrol car and ran over the deputy's arm before racing south on Interstate 65. Patrol cars from state and local agencies chased him at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour before Stallworth was killed at the Herron Street overpass in Montgomery after spinning out in the median and exchanging gunfire with officers.A state trooper was shot in the hand during the incident and was treated and released from Jackson Hospital in Montgomery.

STALLWORTH

Wilson was treated and released Thursday from a Birmingham hospital. Brian Corbett, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Corrections, said Stallworth, who was serving two life sentences for murder at Hollman Correctional Facility, had been strip searched before leaving the prison in Atmore. Where Stallworth got the nail is "the million-dollar question," Corbett said. "Stallworth was strip searched and had his clothing searched before he was turned over to the deputy," he said. "He was in belly chains and handcuffs. A nail is not a common commodity found in prison. Weapons fashioned from toothbrush handles and razors are common, but not nails." Several attempts were made Thursday to reach St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles for comment. Sheriff's offices regularly transport prisoners for court appearances.

Stallworth was being taken to court in St. Clair County to face capital murder charges, Corbett said. Stallworth allegedly killed another inmate about a year ago while being held in the St. Clair County Correctional Facility, Corbett said.

ABI spokeswoman Martha Earnhardt said the bureau will examine details surrounding the incident in Chilton County. The ABI and Montgomery police are investigating the end of the chase, where Stallworth was killed. Sheriff's offices in the tri-county area have strict policies about transporting prisoners. Reserve deputies or part-timers don't move prisoners.

"We have a transport team made up of corrections officers," said Montgomery County Sheriff D.T. Marshall. "All prisoners are put in belly chains and handcuffs. Leg irons can be used, but that's up to the officer's discretion. We move prisoners in vans with metal inserts. If we have to take a load to Kilby (Correctional Facility), we use a bus with mesh on the windows and between the driver and other officers. Prisoners can't physically get to the officers during transport." The chase and shootout tied up traffic on I-65 for several hours. Officers from sheriff's offices in Chilton, Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery counties were involved in the chase, along with police departments from Clanton, Millbrook, Jemison, Thorsby, Prattville and Montgomery.

[  montgomeryadvertiser.com

07.MAi 2005

USA

angebl. suizid eines mannes der wegen dem mord an einem polizisten in der todeszelle inhaftiert war.

Ohio Death Row Inmate Found Dead In Possible Suicide

Prisoner Not On Suicide Watch, Nor Being Treated For Mental Illness MANSFIELD, Ohio -- An inmate who thanked jurors for recommending he be sentenced to death for killing a Youngstown police officer was found dead on the floor of his death row cell Saturday, an apparent suicide, a prison spokeswoman said.

The death comes months after two inmates tried to escape from death row after hiding a homemade ladder under a pile of snow in an outdoor recreation cage. Several administrators were reprimanded and two officials were demoted and received pay cuts after the attempt in February. Martin Koliser was found at 5:30 a.m. at Mansfield Correctional Institution, a half-hour after guards had last checked on him, said Andrea Dean, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Ohio Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Stephanie Norman said Koliser was alone in the cell. She said the death appeared to be "suicide by laceration to his arm and possibly suffocation." Norman said she didn't know how Koliser might have cut himself, nor did she have details on the injury. Dr. Debra Celec, deputy Richland County coroner, also said Koliser's death appeared to be a suicide and that body was being taken to Cleveland for an autopsy. An official at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office expected it to take place on Sunday.

Dean said Koliser, of Boardman, was not on suicide watch, nor was he being treated for mental illness. He had been on death row since November 2003 for killing Youngstown Patrolman Michael Hartzell, 26, in April 2003 as the officer investigated a shooting. "I didn't show no mercy," Koliser told jurors at sentencing. "I didn't expect no mercy. I don't want no mercy." He refused to apologize to Hartzell's parents, saying it was useless. Koliser also was convicted of shooting Donel Rowe, 23, of Youngstown, outside a tavern less than two hours before he gunned down Hartzell in his cruiser. Koliser was arrested in Florida the next day. He previously had served about five years in prison on an assault charge and was paroled about five months before he killed Hartzell. The state announced in March it would move death row to the supermaximum security prison in Youngstown this summer to save money.

[  newsnet5.com

06.MAI 2005

USA

wieder ist ein mann der von der polizei mit einem taser beschossen wurde gestorben.

Man dies in Miami-Dade jail after police stun him with Taser

MIAMI -- A man died Friday after struggling with police and being hit with a Taser stun gun, authorities said. Stanley Wilson, 44, of Miami, was found unresponsive in a Miami-Dade County Jail cell and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, police Detective Nelda Fonticiella said. An autopsy was to determine the cause of death. Wilson was found around 12:30 a.m. in a street, dodging traffic and acting irrationally, Fonticiella said. Police used stun guns to subdue Wilson when he resisted arrest and attempted to strike the two officers, Fonticiella said.

``He started swinging his arms around with one handcuff on,'' she said. Wilson was then transported to the Miami-Dade County Jail to be booked on charges of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer. Jail staff physically restrained Wilson and placed him in a cell when he again became violent, Fonticiella said. After that, he became unresponsive in the cell. The Miami-Dade Police Department's homicide unit is investigating. It was not immediately known if Wilson had been using drugs. About 100 people have died nationally since 1999 after being shocked with a Taser, including recent deaths in Pensacola, Delray Beach, Hollywood and Naples. Many of those who died were drug users. Taser Inc. says its guns are a non-lethal alternative to shooting dangerous suspects. The devices shoot 50,000 volts of electricity into a target.

[  sun-sentinel.com

05. MAI 2005

USA

angeblicher suizid im allegheny knast / pennsylvania.

Jail woes continue with inmate hanging, escape attempt

A Brookline man hanged himself in his cell at the Allegheny County Jail early Tuesday, and last week, an inmate broke through his cell window and tried to escape using a bed sheet as a rope before guards subdued him, according to Warden Ramon Rustin.

The warden also said an investigation at the jail had determined corrections officers or medical staff were not at fault in the deaths of two female inmates from an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph infection in March. Timothy Elkin-Walker, 34, of Bellaire Place, was found dead in his cell around 4:20 a.m. Tuesday, the same day he was to face trial on sexual assault charges. He used a shoelace tied around part of the grille of a locker in his cell to kill himself, police said.

Pittsburgh police charged Walker Sept. 4 with rape of a child, sexual abuse of children, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, and corruption of the morals of a minor. It was the second suicide at the jail since the beginning of the year. Eugene DeLuca, a 69-year-old hit man, hanged himself in his cell on Jan. 12, one day after being convicted of murder. Rustin said each cell in the jail should be checked once every half hour. On Friday night, William Skovran, 51, used the ladder from his bunk bed to smash the window on his third-level cell. Nearby officers heard the noise. They ran to the cell and had to restrain Skovran when he resisted being handcuffed. They also found a rope made from bed sheets.

Rustin said a metal bar was blocking Skovran's window, and, even if the inmate had gotten out, his makeshift rope was not long enough to reach the ground. "It wasn't that much of a rope," Rustin said. "He would have had to jump 20 feet." In 1997, another inmate, 18-year-old Jerome Bullock, fell 150 feet to his death as he climbed down the building's side using bed sheets. He had cut through his window's bar with a metal object. A year later, an inmate broke his ankle as he tried to climb from his cell. Rustin said Skovran, who has been convicted for possession and delivery of cocaine and other drugs, likely will face attempted escape charges.

In late March, Rustin called for an internal investigation after Amy Sartori, 31, of Mount Washington, and Valeriya Whetsell, 51, of Wilkinsburg, developed an infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA, and died. "No one has been found to be negligent," Rustin said. Several female officers who came into contact with the inmates later became sick, showing flu-like symptoms. Since then, 19 jail employees have been tested for MRSA on a voluntary basis. All have tested negative. Jail officials have been testing several hundred inmates, and so far, Rustin said, no other cases of MRSA have been found.

The warden also said the jail no longer has any cases of chicken pox. A male pod, or inmate area, was placed under quarantine for about 10 days in late March after several inmates contracted the chicken pox virus. Restrictions on the pod were eased after the first several days, but some guards expressed concern that there was little communication between them and the medical department when the outbreak started. Chicken pox can be a very serious illness in adults who didn't have it as a child. If a similar incident occurs in the future, Rustin said he personally will inform high-ranking corrections officers so they can make sure the rank-and-file are aware of the situation. "It will go through the chain of command next time," Rustin said. The Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board, which meets today, is setting up a committee that will examine health practices at the jail, according to Common Pleas Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, the board's chairwoman.

[  post-gazette.com

29. april 2005

USA

angebl. suizid einer 43jährigen frau im washoe county knast

Woman commits suicide in Washoe County Jail

A 43-year-old Reno woman whose mother said she was hospitalized for threatening suicide two days before her arrest, apparently killed herself while in the Washoe County Jail, authorities said Friday. Brenda Clustka was found hanging from her bedding material Thursday morning, Deputy Darrin Rice said. The investigation is continuing. Clustka would be the second inmate in the past 30 days to take his or her life, Rice said. On March 29, Patrick Boyle, 31, of Sun Valley, was found hanging in his cell, the jail?s first suicide of the year. Clustka was booked into jail Wednesday on suspicion of battering her mother and violating a related protection order, records show.

Clustka was briefly hospitalized for making suicide threats on Monday, her mother, Donna Clustka, said Friday. Officers picked up Brenda Clustka the next day on the street and deemed she was too intoxicated to care for herself, Reno police said. She was placed Tuesday in civil protective custody at the jail until she became sober and was released, police said. On Wednesday, Reno police were called to Donna Clustka's home, which she shared with her daughter. Brenda Clustka was arrested on suspicion of violating the protection order and a warrant charging her with battering her mother in March.

Police reports indicate officers were not aware of any suicide threats Brenda Clustka made during that contact, although reports indicate suicide attempts as far back as 2001. While Donna Clustka contends authorities should have known her daughter was suicidal, Rice said that all inmates are evaluated when booked. If they are believed to be a danger to themselves, they are placed in special cells and given clothing and bedding. Brenda Clustka was not deemed a suicide risk Wednesday during her evaluation, Rice said. Rice said deputies make safety and security checks of cells every 30 minutes. He said deputies found Clustka about 9:30 a.m. Thursday and tried to revive her. Clustka has two children, 19 and 20, her mother said. "She was a loving daughter, a good mother and very pleasant," Donna Clustka said Friday.

[  rgj.com

26. April 2005

USA

angebl. suizid einer frau im pima county knast ( arizona)

Jail inmate who heard voices kills herself

Tucsonan Vickie Logan, 40, held on minor charges, was found hanged with a sheet in her county cell Sunday. County officials and homicide detectives are investigating the suicide of a Tucson woman who hanged herself in a cell at the Pima County Jail on Sunday. The death of Vickie Logan, 42, is the first suicide at the jail since November, when serial rapist James Selby hanged himself hours before sentencing, and the 13th at the jail in the past decade, according to Sheriff's Department figures.

Logan, of the 4000 block of West Drexel Road, had been jailed Thursday on a trespassing charge, for violating an order of protection and on a charge of "interfering with a judicial proceeding." No details of the criminal cases were available late yesterday. Logan hanged herself Sunday, 61 hours after a jail nurse ordered her to be separated from other inmates in the co-ed mental health unit in the jail's medium-security West Facility, adjacent to the main jail, 1270 W. Silverlake Road. Logan had tied one end of a sheet around her neck and the other around a light fixture. She was found on her knees facing a cell wall at 5:24 p.m. Sunday, said the jail's security chief, Capt. Judy Hendrickson. Logan died at St. Mary's Hospital on Monday.

Logan was in a cell with one window, which was 8 inches wide and 3 feet tall, Hendrickson said. Corrections officers check general population prisoners such as Logan every 15 minutes, Hendrickson said. Prisoners on suicide watch are checked every five minutes. Sheriff's Department Bureau Chief Marty Cramer, who supervises county corrections operations, said that if an inmate does not "show suicidal behaviors" or say outright that he wants to die or he plans to kill himself, he is not put on a suicide watch. She said Logan did tell a jail nurse, during the health screening given to all new inmates, that she was hearing voices. The nurse put her in isolation in the mental health unit, meaning she had contact only with jail staff and had meals delivered to her cell. The isolation from other inmates was ordered because inmates don't deal well with people with obvious signs of mental illness, Hendrickson said. Routinely, an inmate who is sent to the mental health unit will have a follow-up screening by a psychiatrist, Hendrickson said.

How soon that happens depends on how sick the nurse thinks the inmate is, how many other inmates need a psychiatric consultation and whether other inmates in the general population are acting up. Hendrickson said she did not know why Logan had not been seen by a psychiatrist within the first two days of her incarceration, with her evident symptoms of mental illness. About 400 inmates in the jail's average daily population of about 1,600 to 1,900 have mental illness, said Capt. Greg Gearhart, who supervises medical services and rehabilitation programs provided to county inmates. Hendrickson said yesterday morning that 40 inmates were in the mental health unit. Tucsonan Norma Carlson, a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, said an inmate who reports hearing voices should have been given special treatment and seen a psychiatrist quickly. "If someone with a mental illness is put in jail, it will exacerbate any symptom," she said. "Let's sort these people out. Let's give the people who are sick with mental illnesses treatment rather than jail." The county jail's medical and mental health services are provided by First Correctional Medical Inc., a private contractor.

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the county will spend $8.3 million this year on those services. The contract cost the county $5.6 million last year. "Jails are difficult places to be in and difficult places to manage," he said. "You're dealing with a whole variety of people." He said the suicide will be reviewed as part of an overall evaluation of First Correctional's medical services to Pima County. In November, convicted serial rapist Selby hanged himself in his jail cell hours before he was expected to be sentenced to life in prison. Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that a review of that suicide indicated jail workers did nothing wrong and that the death could not have been prevented. Selby, who was not on suicide watch, hanged himself with a sheet.

[  tucsoncitizen.com

24. April 2005

USA

angebl. suizid im ravalli knast ( montana)

Inmate found dead in Ravalli County jail; second suicide in about a month

HAMILTON (AP) - A male inmate was found dead Saturday in his cell at the Ravalli County jail, the second inmate to commit suicide in about a month, officials said. The Ravalli County sheriff's office said the name of the inmate found Saturday would not be released until relatives were notified. The Missoula County sheriff's office and the Powell County coroner were asked to investigate the death. On March 21, officials said Bradley Palin, 42, of Victor, hanged himsell in the Hamilton jail.

[  billingsgazette.com

24. April 2005

USA

obwohl die gefangenen im hochsicherheitsknast in florence alle isoliert sind und kaum kontakt miteinander haben, sollen zwei gefangene einen 64 jährigen mann so verprügelt haben daß dieser an seinen verletzungen starb.

Inmate dies after beating

DENVER (AP) - An inmate at the nation?s most secure federal prison died after a severe beating, the first violent death in the 10-year history of the lockup, officials said Friday. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Wendy Montgomery said Manuel Torrez, serving a 13?-year term for a racketeering conviction in California, died after the assault Thursday at the ultrasecure ?Supermax? prison in Florence. Montgomery refused to identify any suspects or give any details, but Fremont County Coroner Dorothy Twellman said prison officials told her Torrez was beaten by two other inmates. Twellman said Torrez, 64, was ?viciously beaten for several minutes about the head, neck and chest.? An autopsy was planned.

Twellman said emergency crews attempted to resuscitate Torrez at the prison during the 20-minute ambulance ride and at the hospital. Montgomery said the FBI was investigating. Bureau spokesman Mark Collins said it was the first violent death of a prisoner at Supermax since it opened in 1994, although other assaults have occurred at the facility. He said the FBI investigation could lead to prosecution. "These are the most violent, disruptive, escape-prone prisoners in the inmate population," Collins said. "They can?t function properly in an open population setting." The $60 million prison, formally known as Administrative Maximum, houses some of the nation?s most notorious criminals, including 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef, Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols.

Collins said 95 percent of the inmates are sent from other institutions "where they were involved in some other act of violence or an escape." Prisoners at Supermax are kept in near-total solitary confinement and are rarely allowed to see other inmates. Some are allowed out of their cells only an hour a day. Warden Robert Hood retired April 15, and associate wardens Claude Chester and Jerry Zuercher had shared the warden duties for only four days when the assault occurred. "The associate wardens are involved in the institution every day just as much as the warden," Collins said. "We see no change."

Federal investigators have said Eric Rudolph, who pleaded guilty last week to killing two people and injuring 120 in a string of bombings across the South, is likely to serve out his four life sentences without parole there. Prisons officials said no decision had been made about which prison he would be sent to.

[  canoncitydailyrecord.com

21.April 2005

USA

9 tage nachdem sich seine anwälte sich über mangelnde medizinische behandlung beschwerten, ist ein 64jähriger mann im new orleans parish knast gestorben.

Convicted New Orleans lounge owner dies in jail

NEW ORLEANS Nine days after attorneys complained that Joseph Glasper wasn't getting proper medications in jail, the popular New Orleans bar owner and recently convicted killer was found dead in his bed at Orleans Parish Prison. An autopsy was ordered to determine how the 64-year-old Glasper died yesterday. His death ends a saga that began January 18th, 2004, when Glasper shot and killed 52-year-old Richard Gullette in a scuffle over Gullette's attempts to sell beer outside his bar -- Joe's Cozy Corner. But, Glasper's attorney, Carol Kolinchak, says it's inappropriate to draw conclusions now, but she questions her client's death which came more than a week after Glasper fainted and a day after jail authorities said he saw a doctor and reported feeling very well.

A spokeswoman for the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office says Glasper was receiving proper medications and regular attention from doctors and nurses in the jail's medical housing unit. She says Glasper was being treated for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, lung disease, kidney insufficiency and blood clots. Officials say he had a routine checkup Thursday but when a nurse checked him early yesterday, he was dead. Attempts to revive him failed. Glasper was in custody, awaiting sentencing on the manslaughter charge. His attorneys were asking for a new trial and appealing the pending closing of the bar when Glasper fainted last week. Kolinchak says she's unsure how his death will affect the family's efforts to keep the bar open.

[  www.katc.com

20. April 2005

SRI LANKA

am 16. april ist ein von der polizei wegen verkehrsdelikten festgenommener mann an den folgen der folter im knast gestorben.

Extra-judicial killings; Torture; Rule of law

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by the killing of a Mr. Don Wijerathna Munasinghe by the Maharagama police in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Mr. Munasinghe was arrested for a petty traffic offense on 10 April 2005 and severely tortured by the police. He succumbed to his injuries and died at the South Colombo Teaching Hospital at Kalubovila on April 16. No attempt has yet been made to arrest the perpetrators responsible for the victim's torture and death.

This is yet another example of the appalling police brutality that continues in Sri Lanka. We urge you to urgently intervene in this case to deliver justice to the victim's family. Please also urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take genuine steps to stop the common practice of torture and murder by the police throughout the country.

DETAILED INFORMATION:
*Name of the victim:* Don Wijerathna Munasinghe, 49 years old
*Address of the victim:* No. 05, Pasal Mawatha, Niwanthidiya, Piliyandala, Colombo, Sri Lanka
*Alleged perpetrators*: Police officers attached to the Maharagama police station
*Date of incident*: 10-11 April 2005

[  ahrchk.net

19. april 2005

USA

ungeklärter tod einer frau im north las vegas stadtknast.

North Las Vegas jail inmate dies in custody

Police are investigating the death of an inmate early Sunday at the North Las Vegas city jail. Authorities say the 52-year-old woman found dead about 4:30 AM had a serious medical condition. They're hoping an autopsy will tell how she died.She was pronounced dead at North Vista Hospital in North Las Vegas after she couldn't be revived.

16. april 2005

MEXICO

zwei männer wurden im knast cereso II in nuevo laredo erstochen.als verdächtige werden zwei männer genannt, die auch beschuldigt werden den riot im märz mit organisiert zu haben. weiter steht da daß seit dem 23. märz 5 gefangene im knast ermordet wurden.

Guards reassigned after killings of two Americans in Mexican prison

(4/16/05 - NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico) - Nearly 50 new guards arrived at Nuevo Laredo's CERESO II prison on Friday, a day after two U.S. brothers held on homicide charges were beaten and stabbed to death by fellow inmates. Authorities planned to reassign 90 total guards to prisons elsewhere in Tamaulipas state, which includes this city across the border from Laredo, Texas, but were waiting for an additional wave of new guards to arrive over the weekend. It was the latest step in a string of attempts to restore order inside the penitentiary, where five prisoners have been killed since March 23.

Guards discovered the bodies of Jose Manuel Contreras, 25, and his 31-year-old brother Jorge, who were killed in their cell by other prisoners Wednesday night. Why the pair was targeted was unclear, but they told family members earlier this week that they feared for their lives.

Authorities had identified the brothers' killers as Maximino Vega and Narciso Miranda, both of whom were already awaiting trial for homicide charges, said state police commander Virgilio Rafael Hinojosa. Hinojosa said the pair was also involved in instigating a riot at the prison that left two inmates dead on March 27. Juan Manuel Contreras was a federal prisoner accused of drug smuggling and killing four people who allegedly worked for him and lost three kilograms of cocaine. Jorge Contreras was a state prisoner being held on homicide charges. Rosalia Portes, state director of prisons, said more than 2,000 federal prisoners were serving time in lockups in Tamaulipas.

"We are asking at the point of screaming for federal authorities to control their prisoners now that many acts of violence are caused by overpopulation within the state's prisons," Porte said.On March 23, a shootout between rival gang members killed Omar Galindo, who authorities say was among the prison's most powerful and well-connected inmates. A search of the prison yielded several handguns and an AK-47 rifle.

Authorities also found illegal contraband in the form of a pool table, a satellite television system, stereos and disco balls that allegedly belonged to Galindo.Alberto Lara, former director of CERESO II, and six other prison employees were removed from their posts and charged with homicide after the shootout. But, four days later, two inmates were stabbed to death during a riot authorities say was instigated by Vega and Miranda, prompting 200 federal agents to take control of the prison for a short time.

15. april 2005

ARGENTINA

13 menschen wurden bei angebl. "gang-riots" im coronda knast getötet, 6 weitere verwundet.

13 killed in Argentina prison violence

CORONDA: At least 13 detainees died and six were seriously injured in Argentina as a result of bloody riots between rival gangs at the Coronda Prison, northwest of Buenos Aires. The incident started on Monday night when a group of inmates took two-prison guards hostage. In possession of the guard's weapons and keys, the prisoners proceeded to another pavilion where they attacked members of a rival gang. According to the prison's director, police did not intervene because of concerns for the safety of the hostages. The police regained control of the prison in the early hours of Tuesday after long negotiations. The hostages were released unharmed. The incident was the most violent in the history of the Coronda penitentiary, which currently houses 15-hundred prisoners although the facility has capacity for no more than one thousand inmates.

[  kaumudi.com

14. april 2005

3 gefangene wurden unter dem verdacht einen mitgefangenen im knast rye hill erstochen zu haben, " festgenommen".

Inmates arrested over jail death

Three prisoners have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a fellow inmate at a privately-run jail. Wayne Martin Reid, 44, from Balsall Heath, Birmingham, was stabbed at Rye Hill Prison, near Rugby, Warwickshire. He was given first aid by officers and medical staff but pronounced dead on Wednesday afternoon. Three men, aged 25, 30 and 40, are due to be questioned about the death by Northamptonshire Police. Reid was serving seven years for robbery at the jail in Willoughby.

John Bates, a spokesman for prison operator GSL, which runs Rye Hill jail, said Reid was stabbed in the chest."Our condolences have been passed to the family and friends of Mr Reid," he added. Rye Hill jail, which opened in 2001, is a Category B jail and holds around 660 prisoners. A post-mortem examination into the man's death is due to be carried out on Thursday.

14. april 2005

USA

angeblicher suizid einer 16 jährigen im clark county jugendknast.

Bizarre Death at Clark County Juvenile Detention Center

News 3 investigates into a bizarre death at Clark County 's juvenile hall. A teenage girl on suicide watch was found dead Monday afternoon, just hours after she was locked up. The girl's mother is talking exclusively to News 3. The girl's death has been ruled a suicide, but there are still a lot of troubling questions. The biggest one is how could this have happened.

16-year-old Brittany Kish was a troubled teen who needed help, and protection from herself. Her mom says Brittany was on suicide watch, but was left alone, unsupervised, and within hours of arriving here, she was dead. Lynette Kish has had a rough time raising her daughter Brittany -- a girl who had a bi-polar mental disorder and constantly ran away from home. When Brittany ran away again last week, her parents thought it was good news that she'd been found and then taken here to juvenile hall. "If she was on suicide watch, why wasn't somebody watching her?" "It seems like she was safer out on the street doing whatever it was she was doing."

Somehow, just three hours after being booked into the detention center, 16-year-old Brittany managed to use the sheets and other items in her cell to kill herself. "It was ingenious that she did it.... Tied it to the toilet and the doors, made a noose, and let herself go." If they were supposed to be watching her.... This should never have happened in juvy."Brittany's death at juvenile hall is under investigation, and so far county officials are not commenting on what that investigation has uncovered. The director of the juvenile justice services did release a brief statement saying, quote: "We are heartbroken over this tragedy and our thought and prayers are with the family."According to the coroner's office, this is the first time in at least 25 years that a child suicide has happened at juvenile hall.

13. april 2005

USA

ungeklärte todesfälle im glades knast in florida. mind. 6 männer sind in den letzten 4 wochen gestorben.

MULTIPLE DEATHS AT GLADES CI

Glades CI in Florida is reported as quietly dirty - I'm not just talking about the drinking water. I mean dirty as in harsh and unfair and having it's share of errant guards. But the problem I'm addressing is a recent development possibly related to Aramark.In the last four weeks (today's April 12th, 2005), 6 men have died at Glades. Medical blames it on Aramark... Aramark blames it on Medical, but whoever is at fault, the deaths are being kept quiet. Not a word about who or why. We want to know the details.

Besides the normal reports of men losing tremendous amounts of weight at Glades, there's these sudden deaths that the FDOC has not talked about.We know just 4 weeks ago this coming Saturday, an older inmate was begging to retrieve his Nitroglycerin while an unhelpful guard refused to let him enter the building from the rec yard. As the door was finally opened to him, he dropped dead just inside the threshold. The visitors saw the ambulance go for him at the back of the camp. We know he had previous medical problems because of his medication. We could blame the guard, but what's the point? The point is this is too many deaths in too short a time.

USA

12. april 2005

ein 37 jähriger mann im cherokee county knast soll an einem herzinfarkt gestorben sein.

County jail inmate dies of apparent heart attack

RUSK - An inmate at the Cherokee County Jail died of an apparent heart attack in the early morning hours of April 2. Damaron L. Abair, 37, of Jacksonville, stopped breathing twice and was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation twice by jail staff, said Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell."My jailer was notified by an inmate through the intercom system at about 3 a.m. that someone in the cell was having breathing difficulties," Campbell said.

Campbell said the jailer administered CPR when he found the inmate had stopped breathing, revived the inmate, then called EMS. Before the ambulance arrived, however, the inmate stopped breathing again and was revived with CPR a second time. "He was breathing when he left here," Campbell said, adding Abair died an hour or so later at East Texas Medical Center-Rusk.

"There was no foul play we suspected," Campbell said. "We did notify the Texas Ranger from Palestine (Rudy Flores). He did an investigation and interviewed the jail staff and the inmates in the cell."Campbell said initial autopsy reports indicate Abair died of natural causes, and heart disease is suspected as the cause of the apparent heart attack.Abair was not on medication, Campbell said.Campbell said the Office of the Texas Attorney General was also notified of the death.Flores did not return messages about the investigation as of press time.

12. April 2005

ARGENTINA

13 Tote nach einem Streit in einem Gefängnis im Zentrum von Argentinien

Buenos Aires: Dreizehn Gefangenen starben bei einer Revolte in der Nacht vom Diensttag auf Mittwoch in einem Gefängnis von Coronda, in der Nähe der Provinzhauptstadt Santa Fe (…) Zwei Wachen wurden als Geiseln genommen und nach 7 Stunden Verhandlung mit Repräsentanten der Justiz befreit. 6 Gefangenen die Verletzungen durch Waffen und Verbrennungen erlitten kamen ins Krankenhaus, zwei von ihnen sind schwer verletzt (…) Nach dem Regionalen Gefängnisdirektor Rosúa entstand die Revolte aus einem Streit unter Gefangenen. (…)

Die Gefangenen seien durch Schnittwaffen verstümmelt oder verbrannt worden. Laut dem Direktor gab es keine Gewalt gegen Wächter, die von den Gefangenen ausging. Die Wächter wurden als Geiseln genommen um sich den Raum zu nehmen um gegen eine rivalisierende Gruppe vorzugehen (…).Rosúa bestätigte auch, dass das Gefängnis massiv überbelegt ist „es besitzt eine Kapazität für 1.100, ist aber mit 1.400 Gefangenen belegt“, außerdem sagte er „es ist ein altes Gefängnis von 1935 und es gibt Zellenblöcke, die nicht in gutem Zustand sind.“ Am 11. Februar vergangenen Jahres, starben in einem Gefängnis der Provinz Cordoba schon 8 Menschen, bei einer gewalttätigen Revolte, nachdem die Gefangenen hunderte Angehörige und ca. 20 Wächter 24 Stunden vorher als Geiseln genommen hatten.

(Übersetzung JC)

13 muertos en riña en una prisión en el centro de Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Abr 12

Trece prisioneros resultaron muertos la noche del lunes al martes en un motín en una prisión de Coronda, cerca de la capital provincial de Santa Fe (centro de Argentina), dijo el director de servicios penitenciarios provinciales Fernando Rosua.

Dos guardias que habían sido tomados como rehenes fueron liberados después de siete horas de negociaciones con los representantes de la justicia, precisó el funcionario este martes. Seis prisioneros que sufrieron heridas de arma blanca y quemaduras fueron hospitalizados, de los cuales dos están graves, dijeron fuentes penitenciarias en la mañana del martes. De acuerdo con Rousa, el motín podría haberse originado en una riña entre prisioneros provenientes de Rosario y de Santa Fe, las dos grandes ciudades de la región.

"Hubo una trifulca entre prisioneros, un arreglo de cuentas. Cuando el motín terminó, hicimos un recuento y encontramos 13 muertos", añadió en declaraciones a la prensa local. El funcionario admitió que se trató de la mayor masacre en un penal ocurrido en la historia de la provincia. Según las autoridades provinciales, de los 13 presos muertos hubo 11 que habían sido atacados ferozmente con armas blancas, mientras que los otros dos fueron quemados. En ese sentido, el titular del Servicio Penitenciario precisó que todos los presos muertos eran de la ciudad de Rosario (310 km al norte), la principal ciudad de la provincia de Santa Fe y la tercera del país.

Existe una tradicional e histórica rivalidad entre los pobladores de ambas ciudades, que siempre se mantuvo en un plano pacífico, pero se trasladó a los presos de Coronda con el saldo trágico de 13 muertos, dijeron medios del lugar. El director de la cárcel de Coronda, Daniel Mansilla, dijo que "no hubo violencia de los internos contra el personal penitenciario".Rosúa señaló, además, en declaraciones a radio Continental, que se trató de un motín de características "raras", ya que "la toma de rehenes sirvió para vengarse entre los internos". Explicó que un grupo inició la revuelta secuestrando a dos carceleros, y así logró ir ganando espacios en el penal para atacar a sus enemigos.

Rosúa admitió que la cárcel de Coronda, la más importante que depende de la provincia, se encuentra "desbordada" en su capacidad, ya que cuenta con "1.400 internos y posee una capacidad para 1.100". "Es una cárcel vieja, del año 1935, y hay pabellones que no están en condiciones", reconoció. El 11 febrero pasado, ocho personas murieron durante un violento motín en una cárcel de la provincia de Córdoba (centro), luego de que los reclusos mantuvieron durante veinte horas como rehenes a medio centenar de familiares de presos, además de una veintena de guardianes.

[  univision.com

11. april 2005

MOCAMBIQUE

bei der flucht zweier gefangener wurde einer erschossen.

Prisoner Escaping From Top Security Jail Shot Dead

A prisoner held in the Maputo top security prison was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday morning while trying to escape, reports Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias". But a second man succeeded in escaping and is still at large. A police press release identified the dead man as Manuel Arone Timba, alias "Manecas", and his companion as Osvaldo Joao Langa Cossa. The two had been convicted for theft. Cossa was serving a 12 year prison term, and the police did not reveal Manecas' sentence.

The police said that, in order to make their escape, the two had bribed some police officers to weaken the prison security system by leaving one small door unlocked. Two officers were bribed. One was identified only as Osvaldo, while the second was not identified at all. Both are now under detention. To obtain the bribe money, Manecas ordered his wife to sell the family's vehicle, for 40 million meticais (about 2,000 US dollars). This money was found in the possession of Osvaldo, who was waiting in a car outside the prison at the time of the escape. Unfortunately for the escapees, the door left unlocked only opens onto the prison courtyard. They still had to clamber over the outer wall. While they were attempting this, they were spotted by some guards who had not been bribed, and who opened fire on them.

The police also said that Manecas' wife was seen in the surroundings of the prison, inside a minibus, waiting to collect her husband if he managed to escape. When she realised that Manecas had been shot, she fled. The police are investigating further to determine the full circumstances of the escape, and to re-arrest Cossa.

[  allafrica.com

11. april 2005

USA

29 jähriger starb nach einem basketball spiel. er soll "medizinische probleme" gehabt haben.

29-year old inmate dies in Fort Bend jail

A 29-year-old man with apparent medical problems died during a basketball game inside the Fort Bend County Jail Friday. A preliminary autopsy indicated Curtis Dan Bishop of Richmond died of a heart attack, said Jeannie Gage, spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office. "He had scarring on the heart and blocked arteries," said Gage, citing the autopsy report. Gage said at about 6:55 p.m. Bishop was playing basketball in the jail when he had a seizure and collapsed on the court. "The inmate received prompt medical attention and was transported by ambulance to the OakBend Medical Center where medical personnel pronounced him dead," said Gage. She said Bishop had been in the county jail since March 3, when he was arrested on warrants on charges of delivery of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone. Gage said Bishop's death remains under investigation.

9. april 2005

USA

die todesursache bei den letzten monat gestorbenen frauen ist nach der autopsie eine staphylococcus infektion. letzten monat wurde als todesursache das einatmen der dämpfe von reinigungsmittel angegeben.

Allegheny County Jail inmates' cause of death changed

Two inmates at the Allegheny County Jail died of an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph infection, not from inhaling fumes from cleaning products as earlier suspected.

Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht yesterday changed his ruling in the deaths last month of inmates Amy Sartori, 31, of Mount Washington, and Valeria Whetsell, 51, of Wilkinsburg. He initially ruled they died after mixing cleaning products that formed deadly fumes, but additional tests showed the women had the flu and then developed an infection caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, which caused their deaths.

MRSA bacteria, most commonly found in hospitals, has become "clearly an epidemic" in community settings, according to a report in this week's New England Journal of Medicine. The bacteria causes skin infections that are fatal in 20 to 25 percent of patients, the journal said.

Wecht couldn't be reached for comment on the change in his ruling or the care the women received at the jail. Dixon said he is satisfied the jail is relatively safe, despite the report of MRSA following an outbreak of chicken pox at the facility in the past two weeks.

"It's probably more safe than most hospital emergency rooms," Dixon said, noting there is nothing to link the two outbreaks. "It just has been a bad couple of weeks as far as infectious disease is concerned at the jail." Dixon said he believes the women developed an MRSA infection after they were close to death and that the flu was the primary cause of death. The women also had developed pneumonia. Blood tests done at Mercy Hospital about 12 hours before one victim died did not reveal MRSA, he said.

It is "troubling" for two relatively healthy women in similar circumstances to develop pneumonia with the flu, and then get MRSA and die, Dixon said. That's why his office is working with Wecht and jail officials to find out the medical condition the women were in and how they were treated before he recommends any change in jail procedures.

"We don't know where the system fell apart, if it did, but we're looking at everything," Dixon said.One recommendation under consideration is vaccinating inmates against the flu, he said.

An outbreak occurred among inmates at Miami-Dade County Jail in Florida in June, but two inmates who were misdiagnosed for several months eventually recovered.

The New England Journal of Medicine article cited community-acquired MRSA as a growing problem. The infection can be treated with special antibiotics, but it often results in hospitalization.Dixon said his office would conduct random tests of inmates and staff at the jail to try to determine how common MRSA is there. The bacteria can be present on carriers without necessarily causing an infection.

Chuck Mandarino, president of the Allegheny County Independent Prison Employees Union, said he has had dozens of inquiries from members who are concerned about the bacterial infections and the two-week delay in determining the cause of the women's deaths. He said he met with Warden Ramon Rustin this week and is satisfied with steps he has taken to improve conditions at the jail.

"This is a serious situation," Mandarino said. "The union fully expects that what has to be done will be done regardless of cost." He said the jail will add a shift of laundry personnel to clean inmate uniforms more frequently and will issue all inmates an additional uniform to reduce the number of days they have to wear the same outer clothing. The jail also will replace any mattresses or other items that are damaged, and thus harder to sanitize, Mandarino said. Rustin also has issued instructions to unit managers to step up cleaning details to help thwart the spread of bacteria.

"It's not that my guys are scared, but they are concerned, especially about taking anything home," he said. The union hasn't been happy with the level of communication from medical personnel at the jail recently, Mandarino said. "The problem is the medical department hasn't been totally forthcoming," he said, noting guards found out from other sources about the chicken pox outbreak. "They're uncooperative at best and way too secretive. My officers are the ones who are more likely than anybody else to get something if the inmates have it because they practically live with them, but they don't really communicate with us."

Dixon said jail officials are concerned about protecting the health of officers, but they have to walk a fine line between an inmate's privacy and employee safety."We need to err on the side of making sure everyone is safe," Dixon said.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

8. april 2005

bei kämpfen unter gefangenen im knast rafey soll mind. ein mensch getötetund neun( lt aussagen von ärzten waren es 25 verletzte) weitere verletzt worden sein.

Jail riot kills one, injures nine in Dominica

HAVANA, April 8 (Xinhuanet) -- At least one was killed and nine others injured in a jail riot resulting from quarrels among inmates in Rafey Jail, northern Dominion Republic, on Thursday evening, local press reported Friday. The authorities of the city of Santiago said they have recovered control of the prison and attributed the disturbance to a fight among inmates, according to reports published Friday in Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital. The inmates blamed jail authorities for the riot, claiming thatleaders of two rival gangs -- which fought for control over drug sales -- were placed inside one cell. And several of the inmates carried stabbing weapons. The jail authorities said nine inmates were injured in the fight, but doctors of a local hospital said they had treated 25. This has been the second such incident in the country so far this year. In March, 135 inmates died in a fire at Higuey jail, east Santo Domingo, which was the most shocking tragedy in the prisons of the Dominican Republic. Enditem

6.april 2005

INDIA

ein 35 jähriger mann starb in einem knast im maldah bezirk / west bengal durch ungenügende / fehlende medizinische behandlung.

A detainee died due to lack of medical assistance in Maldah District Jail, West Bengal

INDIA: Custodial death; Degrading condition of prisons; Right to life

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from MASUM, a human rights organisation in West Bengal, about the death of an Under Trial Prisoner (UTP) due to lack of timely medical aid in Maldah District Jail, West Bengal, India.

According to the Maldah jail authorities, Kalu Sk (35) complained of stomach pains as soon as he was brought to the prison on 20 March 2005. He was then admitted to the small prison hospital although there were no available doctors at that time. Instead, he was kept under the supervision of a pharmacist. Interestingly, it was revealed by MASUM that another ailing prisoner named Pashua, who was admitted to the prison hospital at the same time as Kalu, was later referred to the Sadar hospital, Maldah, while Kalu was sent back to his cell at night. Kalu was declared 'brought dead' at the Sadar hospital where he was taken by the jail staff at 6:30am of the following day (March 21).

We once again bring to your notice about alarming rates of custodial death that has taken place in India due to inhuman and degrading condition of prisons, including lack of medical assistance, to the detainees. Prisoners are being denied their basic right to proper health care due to a complete disregard of medical infrastructure and shortage of prison doctors, by the jail authorities and the government. Mr. Satya Pal's case will be a clear example. He has been detained in jail for about 24 years as an UTP since his arrest in Hooghly, West Bengal, India on 24 July 1979 despite his mental disease. The jail authorities and judiciary have not taken any action to provide proper medical attention to him.

4.april 2005

USA

Man Found Dead In Howard Co. Jail Cell

JESSUP, Md. -- Howard County police are investigating the death of a man found hanging in a jail cell at the county detention center. Dean Cumbie, 34, was found by a guard Friday evening. He was pronounced dead at Howard County General Hospital. Police arrested Cumbie Wednesday on a fugitive warrant from Georgia. Police said preliminary findings show the death to be consistent with a suicide. An autopsy is being performed by the state medical examiner's office.

2.april 2005:

PHILIPPINES

gefangener bei einem fluchtversuch erschossen.

NBP inmate killed in escape try

An inmate of New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) was killed yesterday morning after he tried to escape from the medium security compound of the national penitentiary.

Leonidez Ipis, a convicted robber who was admitted to the NBP on Nov. 14, 2001, was shot dead by officers of the prison’s Special Operations Group at around 8:30 a.m. at the dam of the agro-industrial field of penitentiary. NBP Superintendent Juanito Leopando said Ipis was working on the field when he suddenly made a mad dash to escape when no prison guards were watching. The other inmates working on the field notified the prison guards, who then chased Ipis.

SOG officers inside the administration building at the maximum security compound also responded and found the inmate near the dam, Leopando said. Ipis, who was armed with an improvised bladed weapon, swam to the opposite direction to elude the responding officers despite a warning shot fired by the officers, prompting them to shoot."Buti na lang at natiyempuhan ng mga tauhan natin dito. Kasi kung nakatakas yun, siguradong gagawa na naman ng krimen yun. Desperado yung mga ganyang tipo," Leopando told The STAR in an interview.The inmate sustained several gunshot wounds in different parts of the body and was declared dead on arrival at the nearby hospital where he was taken.

The NBP official defended the action taken by the responding officers, saying they did their job "to prevent him from escaping." "We would not allow any inmate to escape because a jailbreak means disrespect to justice," he said.

An investigation is being conducted. "Actually, we don’t know what actually drove him to escape. We will still investigate, but I am sure it had nothing to do with the way he was treated here because we have good programs for all inmates," Leopando said. He added that the operatives followed the proper procedure and that "those kind of desperate inmates deserve such fate."" Leopando stressed that despite the lack of ample jail guards at the national penitentiary to monitor all 18,000 inmates, they are well trained to deal with jailbreak situations.

30. märz 2005

USA

31 jähriger mann erhängt in seiner zelle aufgefunden.

Deputies investigating death of inmate at Washoe County Jail

The Washoe County sheriff's office is investigating the death of a jail inmate who was found hanging in his cell. Authorities say the 31-year-old inmate was found hanging from bedding material during a routine cell check Tuesday afternoon. His name is being withheld until relatives are notified.The man was booked into jail on March 26th a charge of domestic battery.

29. märz 2005

USA

angebl. suizid im knast in clarksville / tennessee

Inmate found hanged in Clarksville jail

CLARKSVILLE — A 26-year-old man who hanged himself in his jail cell Sunday showed no signs of being suicidal, Montgomery County sheriff's officials said.

Anthony Ray Dietz, who gave a 105 Meadowbrook Drive address, was found dead with a sheet around his neck, hanging from a bunk ladder, according to a police report. Dietz had been in the jail four days and was to be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Correction to serve a four-year sentence for aggravated burglary and felony escape convictions, sheriff's spokesman Ted Denny said.

Dietz had charges pending of felony theft of property, criminal impersonation, aggravated domestic assault and felony escape, Denny said. He was alone in a two-man cell Sunday, Denny said.''He must have been terribly depressed to have done that, but there was no indication that he would take his own life,'' said Denny, who is also the sheriff's senior chaplain. ''It's just a tragic incident for this young man and his family.''

It was the first suicide of an inmate in five years, he said.An investigation report by Investigator John Stone said Dietz was transferred to Gateway Medical Center after Deputy Paul Collins found him unresponsive in his cell about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Stone noted that the sheet was found to have a loop and a knot. Dietz's death will remain an open investigation until autopsy results are received, Denny said.Denny said deputies are trained to notice signs that an inmate might be suicidal, such as being overly aggressive, severely depressed or talking about suicide. Jail personnel also are required to check on inmates at least twice an hour.Denny said proper procedures had been followed.

28. märz 2005

MEXICO

zum zweiten mal innerhalb einer woche sind im cereso dos knast in nuevo laredo gefangene von "unbekannten" erschossen worden.

Assailants Kill Two Prisoners at Mexico Border Jail

MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - Gunmen shot and killed two prisoners at a violent Mexican jail on the U.S. border, authorities said on Monday, the second deadly attack at the prison in a week. Police said unknown assailants shot the two men late on Sunday at the Cereso Dos jail in Nuevo Laredo, a crime-wracked city infamous for drug trafficking south of Laredo, Texas.

The attack followed the fatal shooting of another prisoner last Tuesday at the jail, which houses scores of prisoners convicted of drugs related offenses.Police spokesman Virgilio Rafael said authorities believed the shootings were "a settling of scores between rival gangs at the jail," but added they had found no motive.

Nuevo Laredo is a major hub for both legitimate trade and illicit cross-border traffic in drugs including cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines worth millions of dollars.In recent months scores of people have been killed in a battle between the local Gulf cartel and rival drug gangs from western Sinaloa state for control of the lucrative smuggling route.

27. märz 2005

USA

ein19 jähriger gefangener der einem wärter die waffe entwendet und sich damit in den bauch geschossen haben soll, ist im krankenhaus in providence gestroben

Jail inmate dies after struggle

WACO, Texas - A McLennan County Jail inmate taken for medical treatment died after shooting himself in the stomach with a gun he took from a jailer who accompanied him, sheriff's officials said.Timothy Jerome Standifer, who died Saturday morning following the scuffle, had been jailed since Wednesday on felony charges of aggravated kidnapping, stalking, evading arrest in a motor vehicle and evading arrest by foot, jail officials said. The 19-year-old from Waco also faced a misdemeanor charge of interfering with an emergency call.

Standifer had allegedly detained a 19-year-old woman in his house at gunpoint last Monday. The woman - who police reports indicate had a child with Standifer - escaped the house seven hours later when Standifer fell asleep.Sheriff Larry Lynch said Standifer was taken to Providence Health Center Saturday morning for medical treatment, but would not release the nature of the ailment.Following treatment, a McLennan County Jail employee put ankle shackles on Standifer and was trying to place handcuffs on the inmate's wrists when a scuffle ensued, Lynch said.

Standifer somehow grabbed the gun and shot himself in the stomach, Lynch said. The jailer was the only person in the room with Standifer at the time, Lynch said.Standifer was taken to the trauma center at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, where he died, Lynch said.Witnesses who watched the struggle through the room's open door said it was clear that Standifer pulled the trigger, said Randy Plemons, chief deputy for the sheriff's office. Plemons said the sheriff's office is investigating.

The jailer who accompanied Standifer on Saturday morning was a correctional officer and not a sheriff's deputy, Plemons said. Correctional officers are authorized to carry a weapon when they transport inmates outside of the jail, he said.The sheriff's office would not release the jailer's name. Plemons said the jailer had been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of the investigation

26. märz 2005

JAPAN

ein thailändischer mann, der seinen ausweiß nicht bei sich trug und deswegen inhaftiert wurde, ist in der polizeihaft gestorben.

Thai man without passport dies in police detention cell

FUKAYA, Saitama -- A Thai man died after falling unconscious in a detention cell at a police station here where he was being detained for failing to carry his passport, police officials said.Police are poised to conduct an autopsy on his body in a bid to determine the cause of his death.

At around 8:35 a.m. on Friday, an officer found the 40-year-old man, who claimed to be a Thai national, slumped in his detention cell at Fukaya Police Station, investigators said. He was rushed to hospital where he died shortly afterwards without regaining consciousness.

Officers had used a rope and handcuffs to restrain him in the predawn hours of Friday after he screamed and hit his head against the wall and a metal grill covering the window. The officers freed him from the restraint at around 7:15 p.m.Police said they are unsure of whether there are any links between his death and restraints put on his body. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, March 26, 2005)

24. märz 2005

USA

die familie eines mannes, der am wochende angeblich bei einem kampf im grenada county knast gestorben ist, verklagt die privatfirma die den knast betreibt.

Inmate's family files lawsuit over death at Grenada jail

GRENADA, Miss. - The family of an inmate who died this past weekend during an apparent fight at the Grenada County Detention Center has filed a lawsuit against the operators of the lockup.

The jail is operated by Correctional Services Corporation, a private prison company headquartered in Sarasota, Fla. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against CSC in U.S. District Court in Oxford. It seeks unspecified damages. CSC will have 20 days to respond.Grenada County Sheriff Alton Strider identified the dead inmate as Kenneth Kendall, 22, of Grenada. He said Kendall was killed Sunday night in his cell. An autopsy has been ordered.

Kendall was serving a 30-day sentence for failing to pay fines, authorities said.Jay Westfaul, an Oxford attorney representing the Kendall family, said Thursday that the sheriff and Grenada County are not defendants in the lawsuit but that may change once the investigation and autopsy are completed.

"Jails and prisons should be run by governmental entities not private corporations out to make a profit," Westfaul said in a statement.Westfaul said the lawsuit alleges the facility was understaffed at the time of the incident and that Kendall was placed in an area with "hardened criminals, many of whom were being held for capital murder."

24. märz 2005

USA

in einen bericht über den tod eines gefangenen in einem knastkrankenhaus steht, das bereits anfang des monats eine frau in dem pemberton township knast an einer staph staphylokokken - infektion gestorben ist.

Inmate found dead in clinic at county jail

MOUNT HOLLY - A 55-year-old Pemberton Township man died yesterday morning at the medical clinic in Burlington County Jail.

Thomas Gartland of Newcomb Drive in the Browns Mills section is the second inmate in a Burlington County correctional facility to die this month. Gartland's official cause of death was not available yesterday, but an autopsy is scheduled for today.County officials do not suspect at this point that Gartland's death was caused by a serious staph infection such as the one that triggered the March 3 death of a 33-year-old female inmate at a county correctional facility in Pemberton Township.

Gartland had been housed at the Grant Street jail since from about 2 a.m. Monday after he was taken into custody for alleged contempt of court and failure to pay court-ordered fines, according to a press release issued by the county Board of Freeholders yesterday afternoon.The freeholders administer the Grant Street jail and the Corrections Work Release Center in Pemberton Township, formerly called the Minimum Security Facility.

Gartland was found dead by a staff member in the jail's medical clinic at 8 a.m. yesterday, about 48 hours after he was transferred to a bed within the clinic after seeking medical attention, county officials said in the release. Citing federal privacy laws, county officials refused to report details about Gartland's admission to the clinic Monday. They did say he was checked by clinic staff at 7:30 a.m. yesterday and reported to be in satisfactory condition, but was found dead during another check at 8 a.m.

Gartland's death will be investigated by the county Prosecutor's Office, which is the county's policy any time there is a fatality at the jail. County officials said they do not suspect foul play at this time. They also said there is no indication Gartland was suffering from a staph infection.Angel Powell, an inmate at the Pemberton Township facility, died two days after she was rushed to a hospital on March 1.

An autopsy indicated Powell died from a pneumonia triggered by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly referred to as MRSA.Powell was the sixth county inmate in the last year to have contracted a MRSA infection, county officials said. The other five cases occurred at Burlington County Jail. In addition, another inmate at the jail was treated for a non-MRSA staph infection, county officials said.

None of the cases at the jail resulted in a fatality, county officials said.The president of a union that represents more than 200 corrections officers who work at both detention centers said four officers have also been treated for staph infections in the last year.

23. märz 2005

USA

die familie eines mannes der sich im letzten jahr im knast in sansom park selbst tötete, verklagt die polizei.

Family of man who hung himself in jail sues police

FORT WORTH, Texas The family of a Fort Worth man who hung himself inside a jail cell using his shoelaces is suing police.The suit alleges police ignored booking and monitoring procedures in the prisoner's case.

Sansom Park police last July arrested 38-year-old Ignacio Nunez on a charge of public intoxication.The suit says the construction worker was found dead in his cell the next morning, after hanging himself from the top bunk bed. The lawsuit filed Monday alleges police violated their own policy, which says officers must take an inmate's personal items -- including belts and shoelaces.

Family members also allege police didn't check on Nunez for more than eight hours.Chief Tony White says Sansom Park doesn't have a full-time jailer for its holding facility. Officers periodically check on inmates and dispatchers can monitor via cameras.

23.März 2005

BRD

Berlin
Pressemitteilung 14/2005

Heute, um 6.25 Uhr, wurde der Strafgefangene Thomas W. (47) leblos aufgefunden. Er hatte sich mit einer aus Paketschnur hergestellten Schlinge am Fensterkreuz erhängt. Vermutlich hatte er sich die Paketschnur aus dem Bereich der Wirtschaftsverwaltung, wo er zur Arbeit eingesetzt war, beschafft.Der herbeigerufene Arzt konnte nur noch den Tod feststellen. Ein Abschiedsbrief wurde nicht gefunden, eine akute Krise oder Suizidabsichten waren ebenfalls nicht erkennbar.Thomas W. befand sich seit 30. Oktober 2003 in der JVA Moabit in Untersuchungshaft und wurde am 05. April 2004 zu einer Freiheitsstrafe von fünf Jahren wegen sexuellen Missbrauchs von Schutzbefohlenen verurteilt.

23. märz 2005

USA

angeblicher suizid im knast.

Inmate apparently hangs himself at detention center

An inmate died Monday night at the Ravalli County Detention Center after he apparently hanged himself, Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said.

The man's body was found shortly after 9 p.m. Monday. His name and what he was being held for is not being released pending notification of his family.The man was being held in a two-person cell but his cellmate had been released earlier in the day, Hoffman said.State law requires a civilian coroner to conduct an inquest because the man died in custody. Hoffman said the Powell County coroner has been asked to investigate the death.Hamilton police are also investigating the incident.On Feb. 8, 2004, Mark Daniel Wilson hanged himself at the Ravalli County jail; since then there has been one other hanging attempt, Hoffman said.

22. märz 2005

USA

zwei frauen die im allegheny county jail als hausarbeiterinnen putzen mußten sind lt. knastbehörden durch das einatmen von gasen die sich durch das mischen von putzmitteln entwickelt haben gestorben, 5 frauen sind wegen atembeschwerden in behandlung.

Mixing cleaning products linked to 2 jail deaths

Two female inmates assigned to a routine cleaning detail at the Allegheny County Jail became sick and died after being overcome by fumes apparently produced by the mixing of cleaning products.Five other women also affected by the fumes were treated at the jail infirmary for dizziness and shortness of breath, said jail Warden Ramon Rustin. The Allegheny County coroner's office identified the victims as Amy Sartori, 31, of Mount Washington, and Valeria Whetsell, 51, of Wilkinsburg.

Rustin said the women were cleaning open areas of the jail during the day on Friday. On Saturday, Sartori took sick and went to the infirmary. She was later transferred to Mercy Hospital, where she died at 7:31 p.m. Sunday.Whetsell was sickened early Sunday. She, too, was treated at the infirmary before she was transferred to Mercy, where she died shortly after 4 a.m. yesterday.

County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht said at a news conference yesterday that the women died of asphyxiation due to chemical inhalation but his office hasn't determined exactly what chemicals they inhaled. The deaths were ruled accidental.Cleaning details use bleach, disinfectant and ammonia to clean common areas such as hallways, tables and floors, Rustin said.Wecht said he believes the women probably mixed some of the chemicals, which produced a deadly gas.

Wecht called the deaths tragic. He also had a clear message: "Don't mix cleaning compounds."County Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dixon, who attended the news conference, agreed with Wecht."If you're going to use Comet, use Comet," he said.Ed Krenzelok, director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center at Children's Hospital, said the center often gets calls about toxic gases generated by combining cleaning liquids. Lung irritation and discomfort often occur, but he said he cannot recall a single death in such circumstances in his 30-year career.

"It's certainly a danger," he said.One common error is combining toilet cleaner with bleach, which produces chlorine gas. Combining ammonia with bleach produces chloramine gas.Both gases can irritate the lungs and in large amounts can cause tissue damage and inflammation. A buildup of fluids in the damaged lungs can obstruct the airways and in severe cases cause death."In a typical cleaning situation, this is not something that would normally occur," Krenzelok said.

Sartori was in jail on a drug possession charge and Whetsell was jailed for burglary and retail theft.Relatives of Whetsell said they first learned about her death on TV.Word spread among family members at midday yesterday that Whetsell's name had been mentioned in connection with the accident. Her sister, Andrea Turner, finally called the coroner's office, where officials confirmed Whetsell's death.

Turner said, "We'd like to know exactly what happened."She was due to be released in April. Her son Raylan was planning to throw her a surprise party.Whetsell did not have insurance, and the family is concerned about covering the funeral costs."Who's going to help us pay for this? Who was at fault here? Did somebody tell her how to mix the chemicals? If she was mixing chemicals that obviously shouldn't have been mixed together, I think they should offer some type of assistance," Turner said.

Whetsell is survived by nine siblings, her son Raylan Whetsell, 30, and two grandsons.Sartori's father, Ed, declined to comment yesterday. He referred reporters to his attorney, Anthony J. D'Amico.D'Amico said Sartori's father learned of her death when a uniformed police officer arrived at his home in Cecil Sunday evening."At this point the facts are very vague," D'Amico said. "[The family] is learning facts by watching the news because they've had no contact with the jail or anyone other than the police officer [that came to their home]."

"They are just devastated," D'Amico said. "And right now, they're just trying to come to grips with what happened."Jail officials checked the cleaning products and found nothing out of the ordinary, the warden said, and no guards or other personnel assigned to the pod showed any symptoms.Rustin said the area or pod where the women were housed holds 43 inmates. The pod has been placed in isolation while authorities try to determine what happened."It's a tragic situation," said Wecht.

20. märz 2005

INDIA

ein 22 jähriger soll sich im tihar knast selbst getötet haben.

Undertrial commits suicide inside Tihar jail

[India News] An undertrial allegedly committed suicide inside the Tihar jail by hanging himself, police said.

Rajesh, 22, hanged himself with an iron wire used as a clothesline in a jail bathroom at around 7 a.m., a Tihar jail spokesperson said.He had been arrested on murder charges and was lodged in Asia largest jail since January 23. Investigations are on into the cause of the suicide, the spokesperson said. (Agencies)

19. märz 2005

USA

der jetzt 14jährige sohn einer in knast gestorbenen frau hat eine klage gegen den knast des cook county wegen " unterlassener hilfeleistung" gewonnen und soll $ 1, 35 millionenerhalten.

Son gets $1.35 million in mom's County Jail death

Cook County on Thursday paid #1.35 million to the only son of a 37 year old South Side woman who died from internal bleeding while she was being held in a Cook County Jail cell in August of 2000, according to the attorney representing the woman's estate.Marilyn Bones was arrested on drug charges Aug. 14,2000, and placed in a cell two days later when she couldn't come up with $500 bail.

Bones immediately complained of sever stomach pains and diarrhea. She died of internal bleeding caused by a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.She was pronounced dead at Cermak Hospital on the jail property, said Bones family attorney, David Buffen.Despite Bones pleas, jail employees did "little or nothing" to help her as she "slowly and painfully bled to death" for about eight hours, Buffen said."She dripped blood into her belly a drip at a time until she leaked a liter and a half of blood". Buffen said.

'There was negligence'

A cook County Sheriff's Department spokewoman declined to comment on the settlement.Buffen also said a jail guard disregarded Bones requests for medical attention. The guard wrote in a log that Bones would not be allowed to see a doctor until she got up off the cell floor, Buffen said."That's where there was negligence", Buffen said. Bones, who lived in the 5300 block South Peoria, had a 9 year old son when she died.

19. märz 2005

USA

der tod eines mannes , der am 10. februar nach der festnahme durch polizisten starb, wurde vom gerichtsmediziner als mord eingestuft.

Man Who Died in Police Custody Ruled Homicide

An officer whom police declined to identify handcuffed Sanders after responding to a neighbor's call that Sanders assaulted him. When police arrived, Carlos Mercado and a relative were holding Sanders down, according to Plano police.Minutes after cuffing Sanders, the officer discovered he wasn't breathing. Sanders was transported to Medical Center of Plano, where he died.

Mercado said officers only handcuffed Sanders and did not hurt him.Police plan to submit the incident to a grand jury to review and decide what charges, if any, should be filed, a police spokesman said.Meanwhile, the department is conducting an internal investigation. The officer who handcuffed Sanders won't work outside police headquarters during the investigat

Sanders' brain was deprived of oxygen during a fire when he was 6 years old and he had suffered from mental problems since then. Over 65 percent of his body was burned in the fire, which left him badly scarred even after many plastic surgeries, Sanders' family said.On the day Sanders died, police had been called twice about him. Relatives called police first, saying Sanders was out of control. Officers left without arresting him or taking him to a mental hospital, as his family asked. Police say Sanders didn't meet the requirements for mental commitment.

19. märz 2005

MALEDIVE

SHOCKING NEW EVIDENCE PROVES POLICE MURDERED MUAVIATH

MALE', Friday 18th March, 6:45pm: Minivan News has received shocking new evidence that proves Muaviath Mahmood, who died in Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre on March 9th, was severely beaten up by police during his week-long detention.It now seems almost certain that police officers were responsible for Muaviath’s death.The evidence comes from a fellow inmate of Muaviath’s, 22-year old Zuhoor, who was arrested with Muaviath in Male’ on the 4th March. They were both taken to Dhoonidhoo on the same day.

Zuhoor has said that both he and Muaviath, who were in adjacent cells in Dhoonidhoo, were both severely beaten by police. Zuhoor described the beatings that both he and Muaviath were subjected to:“I was handcuffed behind my back and taken to a room in Dhoonidhoo. It was full of policemen and I never touched the ground from the moment I was taken inside. It was like I was flying.”Following Muaviath’s death, Zuhoor was taken to Maafushi Jail and kept in a high-security isolation cell.

Zuhoor also underwent treatment in the prison medical centre. Sources from the medical centre say he had “bruising on his chest and cuff marks on his wrist.”It is believed that the Presidential Enquiry into the death of Muaviath went to visit Zuhoor as part of their investigation into the death of Muaviath.Minivan News has learnt that before Zuhoor was due to meet the three-person enquiry team the head of Dhoonidhoo, Lady Ibrahim Manik, threatened Zuhoor and told him to tell the enquiry team Muaviath died from drugs withdrawal.

Zuhoor however, reports that he went ahead and told the enquiry team what really happened in Dhoonidhoo.The Maldivian government has remained silent following the death of Muaviath Mahmood and the torture of another prisoner, Ibrahim Mohamed, in Dhoonidhoo last week. The three person enquiry set up by President Gayoom - which will report only to Gayoom - has not even admitted that it is Muaviath's death that they are investigating.

However, it is believed that four police officers have been arrested this week in connection with Muaviath and Ibrahim Mohamed’s torture.The four policemen reportedly belong to the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Police Criminal Investigation Department. One of the policemen is called Warrant Officer Mujthaba Abdul Sattar.The four policemen are believed to have maltreated between 7 to 12 detainees arrested in connection with drug related matters in Dhoonidhoo in the last few weeks.It is unclear whether Police Chief Adam Zahir directly ordered the beatings of the prisoners.

18. märz 2005

USA

angebl. suizid im jefferson county jail.

2nd inmate at Jeffco jail hangs himself

For the second time in a month, an inmate has hanged himself with a bedsheet in his cell at the Jefferson County Jail.The inmate was found Thursday during a routine check at 1:51 a.m. He was not identified, pending notification of his relatives.Authorities do not plan any procedural changes in the wake of the two recent hangings, said Jacki Tallman, a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

"It wouldn't seem like an appropriate response," she said.Two deaths in a month's time is an anomaly, Tallman said, noting that there have been 10 suicides at the jail since 1986.Overnight, deputies make rounds every 30 minutes at the jail. Visits to each cell can be more than 30 minutes apart, however, depending on where deputies start and what they encounter during rounds."Our rounds are already appropriate," Tallman said.A deputy checked on the inmate at 1:13 a.m. before he was found hanging, Tallman said.

Sheriff's deputies and medical staff performed CPR. The inmate was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Hospital at 2:27 a.m., Tallman said.The inmate had been jailed since March 11 and was awaiting sentencing in a domestic-violence case in Arvada.On Feb. 18, Everett Horton, 42, hanged himself in his cell. Horton, who was being held for allegedly shooting and killing a 24-year-old mother and Navy veteran, died Feb. 21 at Lutheran Medical Center.

Horton did not leave a suicide note. The man who died Thursday did leave a note, Tallman said, but it wasn't released.The man in the recent hanging attached a sheet to the top of a bunk bed, Tallman said. Horton attached his bedsheet to the door in his cell.The jail will not take bedsheets away from inmates."We still need to provide the basics for them so they have some level of comfort at the facility," Tallman said.

14.März 2005

BRD

Berlin
Pressemitteilung 12/2005

Gestern, am 13. März, wurde der Strafgefangene Klaus M. (46) um 19.10 Uhr leblos aufgefunden. Er hatte sich mit einem Streifen einer Wolldecke am Fenstergitter aufgehängt.Die sofort herbeigerufene Ärztin konnte nur noch den Tod feststellen. Ein Abschiedsbrief wurde nicht gefunden, eine akute Krise oder Suizidabsichten waren ebenfalls nicht erkennbar. Der Gefangene hatte sich auf eigenen Wunsch in Einzelunterbringung befunden. Weil er eigenen Angaben zufolge Konflikte mit Mitgefangenen hatte, wurden vorsorglich Einzelfreigang und Einzelduschen bewilligt und eine besondere Beobachtung durch unregelmäßige Kontrollen durchgeführt.Der am 08. Dezember 2004 festgenommene Klaus M. befand sich seit 10. Dezember 2004 in der JVA Moabit in Untersuchungshaft aufgrund eines Haftbefehls des Amtsgerichts Tiergarten wegen des Verdachts auf schweren sexuellen Missbrauch Minderjähriger. Am 22. März 2005 wäre Termin zur Hauptverhandlung gewesen.

14. märz 2005

VENEZUELA

angebl. hat ein gefangener in einem militärgefängnis in cumana nach einem streit die zelle angezündet. 2 gefangene wurden dabei so schwer verletzt, das sie nach einer woche im krankenhaus starben.

Two die after detention cell fire

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Two men died Monday due to extensive burns after a fellow soldier started a fire in a cell they were being held in for disciplinary reasons, said a relative of one of the soldiers.Rommer Lujan and Raul Royett died Monday when their renal and cardiac systems collapsed after spending a week in the hospital with second- and third-degree burns on over 75 percent of their bodies, said Lujan's stepfather Farides Moreno in an interview with local television station Globovision.

Lujan and Royett were being held in the cell in an army base in Cumana, some 300 kilometers (180 miles) east of Caracas, last Monday. A fellow soldier started a fire in the cell during the night due to a personal feud with one of the soldiers inside, said Venezuelan army commander Raul Baduel last week.The soldier who started the fire confessed to authorities and is being held in custody. He was not identified.The fire comes a year after two soldiers died and six others were injured in a blaze in a detention cell at an army fort in western Venezuela.

13. märz 2005

USA

suizid und suizidversuch von zwei 17 jährigen männern im clallam county juvenile knast.

13. märz 2005

USA

47 jähriger mann im knast an bisher unbekannter ursache gestorben.

INMATE dies in county jail

A Rockingham County inmate charged with murder died Thursday night at the jail, the sheriff's department said.Linwood Arnold Cobb, 47, awaiting trial for the 2003 murder of his estranged wife, became ill at about 6 p.m. He developed breathing difficulties and collapsed while the registered nurse on duty examined him.Jail staff attempted CPR and used an automated external defibrillator while waiting for EMS. Jail staff called for EMS at 5:58, and the first units were dispatched three minutes later at 6:01, according to dispatch records. County fire units were the first on the scene, at 6:06, while EMS arrived at 6:08. Paramedics worked on Cobb for more than 20 minutes at the jail, and departed the jail for Annie Penn Hospital at 6:32.

EMS arrived with Cobb at Annie Penn Hospital at 6:41, where Cobb was pronounced dead.Cobb's body has been transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Chapel Hill for an autopsy to determine cause of death.Cobb had been in the jail since Nov. 20, 2003, when Eden police arrested and charged him with first-degree murder for the death of Linnie Eliza Foster. Cobb, a New York native, had lived with Foster for 12 years at 636 Lee St.

Eden police Lt. Greg Light said the shooting was a result of a domestic dispute."They had been fussing that day over some car keys," he said.Cobb had been awaiting trial for more than a year because his attorney wanted some tests done on the murder weapon, a .32 Derringer. Light said the news of Cobb's death while in jail took him by surprise.

"This is a first. I've never even considered it, really," he said. "Other than the trial, our case was over."The sheriff's office will continue to investigate the incident with the assistance of the medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill.

13.märz 2005

AUSTRALIA

ein gefangener im wacol knast in brisbane ist an einer kopfwunde die er angebl. durch einen unfall in seiner einzelzelle gehabt hat, gestorben

Prisoner dies after hitting head

A 40-year-old open security prisoner has died in a Brisbane jail after accidentally hitting his head.A spokesman for the Department of Corrective Services said the man died at the Work Outreach Camp (WORC) program headquarters at Wacol prison, in Brisbane's west.He said the prisoner hit his head while in his single person bedroom at the WORC headquarters yesterday.He was taken to hospital and received stitches to his head.The spokesman said the inmate returned to the centre, ate his evening meal and was found unconscious at the muster shortly before 8pm (AEST) last night.Prison staff and paramedics were unable to revive him.The Department of Corrective Services and police are investigating

12. märz 2005

SOUTH AFRICA

ein u-häftling ist auf der fahrt zur polizeistation in accornhoek angebl. von mitgefangenen so verprügelt wurde daß er bei der ankunft tot war.

Prisoner dies in custody

White River - A trial-awaiting prisoner - apparently beaten up by fellow inmates - died on arrival at Accornhoek police station, Limpopo Police said on Saturday.Superintendent Moatshe Ngoepe said the 26-year-old man was being transported with 10 other prisoners from Nelspruit to Accornhoek on Friday afternoon in a closed truck."As they were offloading them (the prisoners) he collapsed and died."Ngoepe said it appeared that the inmates assaulted him, either while on the road, or at the Nelspruit prison."The investigation is still under way."When asked, Ngoepe said police never travelled with the inmates in the back of the trucks."Police were there, but in the front seat," he said.The man - whose name could not yet be released - was arrested for robbery.He was still awaiting trial, Ngoepe said.

11. märz 2005

MALEDIVE

am 9.märz ist ein gefangener im dhoonidhoo knast in male gestorben. offiziell war es ein drogentod, aber in dem artikel wird dies in frage gestellt.

How and Why Did Muaviath Mahmood Die in Jail?

Speculation over how Muaviath Mahmood actually died in Dhoonidhoo Jail is reaching fever pitch, as new evidence from Muaviath’s brother suggests he could have been beaten shortly before his death.Muaviath’s brother is one of only a few people who saw Muaviath’s entire body. He gained access to the body as he was giving the body a ritual bath before burial. He reported that "the body had imprints of square grids on it, very similar to those underneath heavy boots."

This suggests that Muaviath was kicked or stamped on hard, presumably by police boots, shortly before he died. This further report of possible torture of Muaviath – which could have resulted in his death – is confirmed by previous reports from his parents which stated that “his neck was swollen and there was indication that blood had oozed out of his nose and his eyes were swollen out.”

Muaviath’s family are said to be very distressed by the death of their son and the subsequent behaviour of the Maldivian government, particularly that of Dr Shaheed who has been spinning to the media that the death was a result of drug abuse, not ‘foul play’ by the police.Reports in the Maldivian press, which is censored by the government, state that Muaviath was involved in drugs related activities before his death, suggesting this to be the cause of death. They have not mentioned the possibility of police murder.

At Muaviath’s burial on Wednesday afternoon – hastily undertaken by the authorities before the death certificate had been issued to the parents – Muaviath’s father, Mr. Mahmood had a run-in with Home Minister Umar Zahir. Shaking his hand, Mr. Mahood said sarcastically, “nothing much, just his rib cage, his neck and his nose have been destroyed. I suppose the matter is finished and done with.” Umar Zahir did not reply.

5.märz 2005

NEW ZEALAND

„die familie eines mannes, der sich selbst tötete nachdem ihm seine bewährungshelferin sagte er sei ein „schöner junge“ und würde im knast vergewaltigt werden ( gang - rape ), verklagt die regierung auf $ 600.000.“ obwohl die bewährungshelferin wußte daß der richter gesagt hatte daß es haftstrafe unwahrscheinlich sei, sagte sie ihm das er „ganz sicher“ für 7 jahre in den knast kommen wird, dort vergewaltigt werden wird und das die behörden nichts machen könnten solche angriffe zu verhindern.

Family sues for jail jibe death

By OSKAR ALLEY and MARTIN KAY

The family of a man who killed himself after his probation officer told him he was a "pretty boy" who would be gang-raped in jail is suing the Government for $600,000.Papers filed in the High Court at Auckland yesterday allege the probation officer was negligent or malicious and reckless in the way she dealt with Damon Machiavelli. The father-of-two hanged himself after the officer told him he would be jailed for up to seven years for manufacturing methamphetamine.The court papers – obtained by The Dominion Post – say the officer knew, or should have known, that a judge had said a jail term for Mr Machiavelli was highly unlikely, and that he was suffering deep anxiety at the prospect of prison.A terrified Mr Machiavelli hanged himself in June 2002 after he became depressed when the officer said he would be jailed.He had earlier pleaded guilty to making methamphetamine for his use – but police indicated they would not seek a custodial sentence.But his probationofficer, who was preparing a criminal needs assessment, allegedly told him on June 13 that he was "definitely" going to jail and could expect to be raped because he was a "pretty boy".

The officer also allegedly told him there was nothing authorities could do to prevent attacks.The court papers allege that eight days later, the officer phoned Mr Machiavelli's wife, Tassia, and told her she needed to make arrangements for the care of her children, then aged 4½ years and 18 months, because her husband was going to jail for up to seven years.On being told this, Mrs Machiavelli "became upset to the point of hysteria", according to the statement of claim.The papers allege that at the time the officer made the statements, she knew, or should have known, they were untrue because the judge "gave a strong indication that a non-custodial sentence was very likely to be applied" and there were well-established procedures for keeping vulnerable inmates safe.It is further alleged that she also knew, or should have known, Mr Machiavelli was highly stressed and his anxiety was "significantly increased" by her statements.It was also known that he might commit suicide if he thought he was going to jail because he had reported being highly stressed by the prospect and had attempted suicide as a teenager.

Mr Machiavelli hanged himself the day after the officer telephoned his wife.His widow and parents, Jill Campbell and Graham Ambrose, are suing the attorney-general for $100,000 for pain and suffering, and $500,000 for exemplary damages and costs.Papers filed by their lawyer, David Garrett, say the attorney-general is liable for Mr Machiavelli's death through the negligence of the probation officer and the Corrections Department.The papers say Mrs Machiavelli lost the consortium of her husband and suffered emotional harm and nervous shock as a result of the officer's actions.Mr Machiavelli's parents lost the love and affection of their son and also suffered nervous shock and emotional damage.A second and alternative action alleges misfeasance in public office, and says the probation officer, and through her Corrections and the attorney-general, acted maliciously or recklessly toward Mr Machiavelli.The papers refer to a Corrections investigation into the officer's handling of the case, which found the level of sentence conveyed to Mr Machiavelli was "excessive and unsafe" given his anxiety; the officer specified possible lengths of imprisonment, which was also unsafe; and she referred to his physical appearance and implied he might be sexually assaulted.A coroner's report last year found the officer was partly responsible for Mr Machiavelli's suicide. She retired in June 2003 on medical grounds.Mr Garrett said yesterday that Mrs Machiavelli was still very upset by her husband's death. He described the officer's actions as "near-sadistic".

5.märz 2005

IRELAND

Suspected drug boss found hanging in jail

A man reported to be a leading crime figure in Dublin has been found hanging in his cell in Mountjoy Prison.He was found in his cell by two fellow prisoners just after midday.Prison officers were alerted and they attempted to resuscitate the man.He was then rushed to the Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 12.45pm.The 34-year-old man was serving a one-year sentence for road traffic offences and was due to be released next month.It is understood that the man is a regarded by gardaí as a leading figure in drug dealing in the north of the city.

01. März

USA

vermutliche selbsttötung eines gefangenen im montana state knast.

Inmate found hanged in cell

DEER LODGE — An inmate at the Montana State Prison was found hanging in his cell Monday morning and was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital. Prison officials identified the inmate as Dennis Palmerton, who would have been 26 on Sunday. He was serving time for forgery and escape, authorities said. He was born in Glasgowand was sentenced in Great Falls. The death is being investigated by the Powell County coroner and the Department of Corrections. "Preliminary reports indicate the cause of death as a suicide, but there will be a thorough investigation," said Linda Moodry, a prison spokeswoman. "They don't believe there was foul play." Palmerton was housed in a cell with another inmate in the prison's Martz Diagnostic and Intake Unit. Last May, state Department of Corrections officials released a plan they hoped would reduce the potential for suicide among state prison inmates, following a six-month period in 2003 and 2004 in which four inmates died by suicide.If ruled a suicide, Palmerton's death would be the first by suicide in the prison since February 2004.

7. März

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

133 Tote bei Brand in einen Gefängnis auf Santa Domingo

(…)Bis jetzt wurden 133 Leichen und 25 verletzte Personen geborgen, sagte ein Sprecher der Abteilung des Zivilschutzes (Defensa Civil). Der Brand entstand während einer Auseinandersetzung zwischen Rivalisierenden Banden mit Feuerwaffen und Messern. Die Gefangenen zündeten ihre Matratzen an. Die Gefängnisverwaltung sagte aus, dass sie versucht hätten, den Zellenblock in dem der Brand stattfand zu öffnen, aber die Gefangenen hätten das Schloss beschädigt, sagte Juan Ramón De la Cruz Martínez Direktor des Gefängnisses. Am Mittag holten Angestellte der Rettungsdienste immer noch Leichen aus dem Gefängnis. Viele Personen versammelten sich in der Umgebung, in der Hoffnung Nachrichten von ihren Familien zu erhalten. Der Chef der Polizei Manuel de Jesús Pérez Sánchez befahl den Sicherheitschef des Gefängnisses zu verhaften. Lokale Journalisten sagten, dass das Gefängnis 1960 Gebaut wurde und dort heute 200 Personen sitzen, es heute mehr als doppelt überbelegt ist. Die Katastrophe von Montag war die schwerste in der Geschichte der Gefängnisse der dominikanischen Republik, wo es normal ist, dass Gefängnisse überbelegt sind. 29 Gefangen starben im September 2002 in Auseinandersetzungen und dem Brand im Gefängnis der Stadt La Vega.

Lunes, 7 marzo 2005

Los esfuerzos para rescatar del incendio a los prisioneros en la ciudad de Higuey se vieron frustrados cuando se encontraron con una cerradura rota, agregaron los responsables. Al mediodía se habían contado 133 cadáveres y cerca de 25 personas estaban heridas, dijo una portavoz del departamento de Defensa Civil. El incendio se desató durante un enfrentamiento con armas de fuego y cuchillos entre pandillas rivales a última hora del domingo. Los prisioneros incendiaron sus camas. Los funcionarios de prisiones indicaron que trataron de abrir el bloque de celdas donde se produjo el incendio, pero que los prisioneros habían dañado la cerradura, dijo Juan Ramón De la Cruz Martínez, director de la prisión.

Al mediodía, empleados de los servicios de rescate todavía sacaban cadáveres del recinto carcelario. Decenas de personas se congregaron en los alrededores, con la esperanza de recibir noticias de sus familiares. El jefe de la policía, Manuel de Jesús Pérez Sánchez, ordenó el arresto del jefe de seguridad de la prisión. Periodistas locales dijeron que la prisión de Higuey fue construida en 1960 y a menudo alberga hasta 200 personas, más del doble de su capacidad. El desastre del lunes fue el peor en la historia de los penales de República Dominicana, donde las cárceles suelen estar superpobladas. Veintinueve presos murieron en los disturbios y el incendio que se produjeron en una prisión en la ciudad de La Vega en septiembre de 2002.

februar 2005

UZBEKISTAN

eine unabhängige menschenrechtsgruppe wird durch die regierung bedroht nachdem sie einen bericht über einen gefangenen der unter „ungeklärten umständen“ im knast gestorben ist, veröffentlichte. am mittwoch,dem 2. februar wurde der vorsitzende von ezgulik, eine von zwei unabhängigen menschenrechts-gruppen, die offiziell zugelassen sind, ins justizministerium geladen wo ihm ein brief mit einer „abmahnung“ überreicht wurde. in dem brief wird ezgulik vorgeworfen durch ihren bericht gegen ihre charta und das gesetz zur pressefreiheit zu verstoßen . es wird mit sanktionen im falle einer wiederholung gedroht, ohne daß dies näher erläutert wird.

ezgulik hat am 5.januar verlangt daß eine unabhängige untersuchung die umstände des todes von umarov überprüft, da es den verdacht auf folterungen gibt, die in den knästen fast routinemäßig angewandt wird. „ die usbekische regierung willigte ein eine unabhängige untersuchung in umarow’s tod durchzuführen und erlaubte experten der u.s.amerikanischen organisation freedom house diese untersuchung zu überwachen.“ auf einer pressekonferenz am 17. januar in tashkent wurde von den freedom house leuten die version der regierung , umarov starb nicht durch mißhandlung, akzeptiert. die regierung benutzt nun die ergebnisse dieser untersuchung um menschenrechtsaktivistinnen unter druck zusetzen.

28. februar 2005

AUSTRALIA

riots in sydney nach dem tod zweier jugendlicher. nach den meldungen hatten 3 jugendliche ein auto geklaut,wurden von der polizei verfolgt und sind an einen baum gefahren, wobei zwei der jugendlichen starben. der fahrer des autos sei geflüchtet. freitag, samstag und sonntag nacht kam es dann zu auseinandersetzungen mit der polizei. vorwürfe, das auto der jugendlichen sei mit absicht an den baum gedrängt worden, werden bestritten. wieviele menschen bisher festgenommen oder verletzt sind ist noch nicht klar.

SYDNEY RIOT OVER TEEN DEATHS

Youths throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails have clashed with police in a third night of rioting in a Sydney suburb, sparked by the deaths of two teenagers after a police car chase.The pair died when the stolen car they were travelling in hit a tree during a police chase at Macquarie Fields in the city's south-west on Friday night. The driver of the stolen car, who police say is known to them, fled the scene and has not been found.Emotions flared later on Friday night and Saturday evening when mourners and other young people attacked police with stones.In the third successive night of clashes on Sunday, 100 police officers were attacked by scores of rioters throwing rocks and bottles.The officers were confronted by the crowd while helping fire-fighters extinguish a burning car near Friday's accident scene.Three officers were injured and four people were arrested. Two were charged with rioting, another was charged with affray, and a 13-year-old was later released.

New South Wales police superintendent John Sweeney said the situation was tense but police remained in control at all times."We did not engage this conflict," he said."It started in response to a fire, however police were met by two groups within the community who took it upon themselves to hamper police in their work." Dyllan Rayward, 17 and 19-year-old Matthew Robertson were killed when the stolen car they were travelling in ploughed into a tree after a police chase on Friday night.Police have defended their actions, saying the officers involved likely followed police pursuit protocol.Superintendent John Sweeney acknowledged reports that four officers had received death threats but he maintained police followed pursuit protocol and said the chase lasted less than a minute.

He also told Channel Nine that reports police had shunted the car were "offensive"."There is not one scratch on the police car," he said. "To shunt a vehicle at speed it would have to show some clear evidence of damage."Police remain on alert for further unrest in the area.

Police will get rioters, Carr says

New South Wales Premier Bob Carr says the only message the State Government has for the rioters at Macquarie Fields is that "police will get them" saying there is no justification for the attacks.Last night three police officers were injured when they were pelted with bottles, bricks and molotov cocktails by a group of about 150 young people.Residents in the area are blaming police for causing a car crash that killed two teenagers on Friday night.Mr Carr says police have already begun the identification of rioters from tapes as they did during the Redfern riots and charges will be laid."So there's going to be identification and arresting of people and that in the end is the answer to behaviour that simply cannot be tolerated," he said.He says he expects the arrests to greatly reduce the chance of further rioting tonight and says the the coronial inquest is the proper place to air grievances.

Meanwhile, NSW police commissioner Ken Moroney says he can understand community anger about the deaths but he will not tolerate any further violence."So my experience is that yes, whilst there is angst, whilst there is anger in the community, we'll be able to respond to that," he said."I understand the anger that does exist but don't condone the level of violence that has been shown, not only to the police but it's been shown to the general community as well."Commissioner Moroney says he is confident of preventing another night of violence.He travelled to the suburb this morning and says he wants to work the community to avoid another confrontation. "I'm hoping that a degree of commonsense and judgement - good judgement, can prevail this morning," he said."We'll seek to engage with community members out here to get to the heart of the issue here with a view to restoring calm and commonsense in the whole area."He says he believes police were not responsible for the deaths and has encouraged residents to voice their protests peacefully."Nothing's to be gained by this riotous behaviour which is occurring on the streets."

27.februar 2005

USA

am 31. dezember flüchtete jejuan aus dem knast. am 21. januar wurde er von einem swat - team erschossen, als er vor einer festnahme flüchtete. die polizei gibt wenig auskunft was passiert ist. in einer kurzen mitteilung an die presse am nächsten tag schrieb die polizei das jejuan „ erschossen wurde nachdem er versucht hatte mehrere beamte zu überfahren“. nicht erwähnt wurde, das jejuan nicht der einzige insasse im auto war -- eine tatsache, die die polizei später bestätigte nachdem eine frau die information auf dem message board der The sun online veröffentlichte. sie sagten nur das jejuan der fahrer war, gaben aber sonst keine informationen über den zweiten insassen.

25. februar 2005

SPAIN

ein wegen mordes 1996 zu 29 jahren knast verurteilter mann, der im knast zuera angl. zu einem „ radikalen islamisten“ wurde, wurde erhängt in seiner zelle aufgefunden. im november 2004 hat der „anti - terroristische“ richter baltasar garzon ihn beschuldigt, zu einem islamistischen netzwerk zu gehören welches angriffe gegen regierungsgebäude in madrid plant und er war seitdem isoliert.

25.Februar 2005

BRD

Tod einer Strafgefangenen im Vollzugskrankenhaus

Berlin,
Die Strafgefangene Jutta M. (63) ist am heutigen Morgen um 6.35 Uhr tot aufgefunden worden. Sie ist am Vortag aufgrund unklarer Beschwerden aus der Justizvollzugsanstalt für Frauen in das Krankenhaus Maria-Heimsuchung, Caritas-Klinik Pankow, ausgeführt worden. Dort konnte man keine konkrete Diagnose stellen. Zur weiteren vorsorglichen Beobachtung ist sie in das Haftkrankenhaus Moabit überführt worden. Beim Wecken um 5.30 Uhr waren keine akuten Symptome erkennbar. Um 6.30 Uhr wurde sie leblos aufgefunden. Sofortige ärztliche Wiederbelebungsmaßnahmen schlugen fehl. Die Kriminalpolizei wurde benachrichtigt. Die genaue Todesursache steht noch nicht fest, sie wird sich aufgrund der noch anstehenden Obduktion ergeben. Jutta M. hatte seit dem 3.1.2005 Freiheitsstrafen von 1 Jahr und 3 Monaten sowie von 10 Monaten, jeweils wegen Betruges, zu verbüßen.

20. februar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

in einem artikel über eine studie von drugscope zur rehabilitation drogenabhängige frauen steht u.a. daß sich im letzten jahr 13 frauen im knast selbst getötet haben. am 21. januar wurde der suizid einer 26 jährigen frau im new hall knast gemeldet. 4. 100 frauen sind z.zt. im knast, 1994 waren es 1.800.

18.februar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

wegen dem mord an einem „asiatischen teenager“ durch einen mitgefangenen , der als rassist bekannt war, gibt es zur zeit einen untersuchungsausschuß. hier ein bericht darüber:

älterer Artikel darüber vom 20.01.2005

in dem untersuchungsausschuß,wegen dem mord an einem 19jährigen der von einem rassistischen mitgefangenen ermordet wurde, wurde von „gladiadoren kämpfen zwischen farbigen und weißen gefangenen“ im feltham young offender knast berichtet, die von den wärter erzwungen werden.

14. februar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

ein 19 jähriger wurde erhängt in seiner zelle aufgefunden.

11.Februar 2005

BRD

Tod eines Gefangenen in der JVA Naumburg

Magdeburg/Naumburg (MJ). In der Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Naumburg hat sich am Freitag in den frühen Morgenstunden ein 67-jähriger Gefangener das Leben genommen. Der Mann wurde in seinem Haftraum leblos aufgefunden, als ein Bediensteter den Haftraum aufschloss. Er hatte sich stranguliert. Der Gefangene befand sich seit November 1997 wegen Mordes in Haft.

7. Februar 2005

BRD

JSA Berlin: Suizid eines Untersuchungsgefangenen

Berlin,
Der türkische Untersuchungsgefangene Fatih S. (20) hat sich gestern in der Jugendstrafanstalt Berlin das Leben genommen. S. wurde am 4. Februar vorläufig festgenommen. Das Amtsgericht Tiergarten erließ am 5. Februar Haftbefehl wegen des dringenden Verdachts auf räuberische Erpressung. Außerdem hatte S. einen Strafrest in Höhe von 348 Tagen Jugendstrafe aus einer Vorverurteilung zu verbüßen. Der Gefangene wurde der Jugendstrafanstalt am 5. Februar um 19.07 Uhr zugeführt. Eine unregelmäßige Beobachtung wurde angeordnet und durchgeführt. Obwohl weder bei dem ausführlichen Aufnahmegespräch am Abend noch bei den Kontrollen in der Nacht und am Vormittag Anzeichen für eine akute Notlage erkennbar waren, wurde der Gefangene um 12.30 Uhr leblos aufgefunden. Er hatte sich mit einem Wollpullover am Kleiderhaken stranguliert. Sofortige Wiederbelebungsversuche durch den Anstaltspfleger und ab 12.36 Uhr durch den sofort herbeigerufenen Notarzt blieben erfolglos.

4. februar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

ein gefangener wurde erhängt in seiner zelle gefunden. es finden ermittlungen statt, aber es wird selbsttötung vermutet. Prisoner is found hanged in cell

2. februar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

bericht über suizid eines 16 jährigen im lancaster jugendknast

INTERNETTIP

mehr zu suiziden und „ungeklärten todesfällen“ in den britischen knästen findet mensch bei der gruppe inquest. laut selbstdarstellung ist inquest „die einzige ngo in england und wales die direkt mit den familien von menschen die in gewahrsam sterben arbeitet.“

30.januar 2005

UNITED KINGDOM

artikel über frauen im knast darin steht u.a. das letztes jahr 95 menschen suizid in den knästen begangen einschließlich der 13 frauen , seit 1997 insgesamt 571.

20.Januar 2005

BRD

1 Monat nach dem Tod von Oury Jalloh im DessauerPolizeigewahrsam

Asylbewerber war gefesselt

Der Tod eines Asylbewerbers in einer Polizeizelle in Dessau beschäftigt die Ermittler in Sachsen-Anhalt. Nachdem zunächst vermutet wurde, der 21-Jährige aus Sierra Leone habe sich selbst angezündet, sind jetzt Zweifel aufgekommen: Der Mann soll einem Zeitungsbericht zufolge gefesselt gewesen sein.

Dessau - Unmittelbar nach dem Vorfall vom 7. Januar waren die Dessauer Behörden offiziell noch von einem Suizid ausgegangen. Der in Gewahrsam genommene Oury Jalloh habe sich selbst in der Polizeizelle angezündet, hieß es damals. An dieser Version gibt es jedoch inzwischen ernst zu nehmende Zweifel. Laut Informationen der "Mitteldeutschen Zeitung", soll der 21-Jährige während des Brandes an ausgestreckten Händen und Beinen fest angebunden gewesen sein. Überdies seien bei der Obduktion der Leiche des Mannes Brüche an beiden Handgelenken festgestellt worden.

"Der Mann war fixiert", bestätigte ein Sprecher der Ermittlungsbehörde jetzt den Zeitungsbericht. Wie der Westafrikaner trotz gefesselter Hände und Füße mit einem Feuerzeug die Matratze in seiner Arrestzelle anzünden konnte, sei unklar. Jan Wätzold von der "Mitteldeutschen Zeitung" sagte SPIEGEL ONLINE, die Leiche des Asylbewerbers sei in ausgestrecktem Zustand gefunden worden. Dies könne ein Hinweis darauf sein, dass der Afrikaner - wie zu Beginn der Ermittlungen vermutet - mit Handschellen an seine Pritsche gefesselt worden war. Nach Wätzolds Informationen war die Wechselsprechanlage zwischen Zelle und Revierbereich bei Ausbruch des Feuers ausgeschaltet. Laut einem Gutachten der Staatsanwaltschaft Dessau, das Anfang kommender Woche veröffentlicht werden soll, habe der Rauchmelder allerdings einwandfrei funktioniert.

Der Innenausschuss des Landtages hat mittlerweile rasche Aufklärung gefordert. Der PDS-Angeordnete Matthias Gärtner forderte, die Öffentlichkeit müsse umgehend darüber informiert werden, was tatsächlich vorgefallen sei. Jede weitere Verzögerung wäre ein Nährboden für Spekulationen und Vermutungen, an denen keinem gelegen sein könne.

Der Asylbewerber aus Afrika befand sich den Angaben zufolge in Gewahrsam, weil er mehrere Frauen belästigt und Widerstand gegen die alarmierten Polizeibeamten geleistet haben soll. Das Feuer sei aus ungeklärter Ursache ausgebrochen, hieß es zunächst. Ein Beamter habe versucht, die Flammen zu löschen, sei aber nicht mehr in die Zelle gelangt. Wegen der starken Rauchentwicklung sei für den Mann jede Hilfe zu spät gekommen. Bei den folgenden Untersuchungen entdeckten die Spezialisten des Landeskriminalamtes Magdeburg die Reste eines Feuerzeuges. Kurz nach dem Brand in der Zelle hatte die Polizei zwei Dienst habende Beamte vorübergehend versetzt.

13. Januar

BRD

Selbsttötung in der JVA Frankfurt (Oder)

Ein 36-jähriger Untersuchungsgefangener hat sich heute Nacht in der Justizvollzugsanstalt Frankfurt (Oder) das Leben genommen. Der Gefangene befand sich seit Juli 2004 unter dem Vorwurf des Mordes in Untersuchungshaft. Er wurde heute gegen 6.10 Uhr in seinem Haftraum am Fenstergitter erhängt aufgefunden. Die Reanimierungsversuche des sofort herbeigerufenen Notarztes blieben letztlich erfolglos. Nach den bisherigen Feststellungen liegen keine Anzeichen für ein Fremdverschulden vor.