In 2017, Robert Wayne Johnson was sentenced to two days jail for failing to pay $2,500 in court fines. But instead of being released on the second day, a Mississippi sheriff continued to detain him until - 54 days after he was admitted - he killed himself. washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10…
It is unclear why Mr. Johnson was held beyond the two day sentence.
But what is clear is that in the days before his death, he made numerous suicide attempts of which jail staff claim to have been unaware, despite his dorm being under 24 hour surveillance.
But what is clear is that in the days before his death, he made numerous suicide attempts of which jail staff claim to have been unaware, despite his dorm being under 24 hour surveillance.
On the day he died, Mr. Johnson tied his shoelaces around his neck to try to strangle himself, leaving marks, and then tried to slit his wrists with razor blades. A dorm mate told the corrections officers, but they declined to intervene.
The corrections officers then decided they would put Mr. Johnson in an isolated observation cell. His dorm mates warned the guards that he had tried to hurt himself with his shoe laces.
Instead of taking the shoe laces away, they dumped the laces and all of Mr. Johnson's possessions in a laundry cart, before forcing Mr. Johnson himself into the cart and wheeling it away.
They then left him alone and unchecked in the isolated observation cell.
They then left him alone and unchecked in the isolated observation cell.
When a guard checked on Mr. Johnson, he was sitting unresponsive with his shoelaces wrapped around his neck and tied to the bed frame.
The picture accompanying this article is of Mr. Johnson with his baby daughter.
He should never have been in jail because he couldn't pay $2,500 in fines.
He should never have been in jail 2 months not 2 days because someone didn't care enough to maintain accurate records.
He should never have been in jail because he couldn't pay $2,500 in fines.
He should never have been in jail 2 months not 2 days because someone didn't care enough to maintain accurate records.
Mr. Johnson's case is getting attention because his family have filed a lawsuit.
Just think how many other people are held in jail for longer than they should be and how many people die and their deaths are never investigated, because they don't have anyone to advocate for them.
Just think how many other people are held in jail for longer than they should be and how many people die and their deaths are never investigated, because they don't have anyone to advocate for them.
