,
5 tweets,
1 min read
Read on Twitter
This story alone is reason enough to abolish prisons.
"One minute after Callahan’s celebratory gesture, she engaged another prison official in talk of a Subway sandwich — her prize, for winning a bet among the correctional officers about whether the notoriously volatile inmate would again become suicidal."
"Janika Edmond knew she posed a danger to herself. The 25 y/o had been in this position. Beset by major depressive & mood disorders, she attempted suicide on numerous occasions while incarcerated. On the day she cried out that she “wants Bam Bam” slang for an anti-suicide smock."
"Her latest cry for help was issued from a shower area where she had been stationed while waiting to be placed in an isolated cell. At least a dozen correctional officers were in earshot. She was on mental health outpatient status at the time. None came to her aid."
Aftermath: Callahan--the officer who celebrated--was first suspended, then fired. Her supervisor, who also engaged in talk about the Subway sandwich as a prize, was initially fired, but later reinstated. Family received $860,000 settlement. A paltry sum for a human life.
