Report on 2021 inmate
death emphasized lack of communication between transporting officer and nurse
conducting intake evaluation
The Santa Barbara County Grand Jury investigated the death of a 30-year-old Main Jail inmate who committed suicide just 18 hours after his arrest in February 2021and found multiple areas requiring improvement in the intake process that “failed to protect (the inmate).”
Michael
Anthony Remijio of Isla Vista was arrested the night before on an outstanding
misdemeanor warrant from Ventura County after a welfare check from
the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department.
Just
18 hours later, he was found hanging from a bed sheet in his cell.
While life-saving measures were initiated by deputies and continued while he
was transported by American Medical Response ambulance, Remijio was
pronounced dead at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
An
autopsy report concluded that Remijio’s cause of death was hanging, “other
significant conditions” and methamphetamine intoxication.
In
mid-July, another inmate in the jail died by suicide, marking the fifth suicide
at the jail since April 2018. The grand jury report focused solely on Remijio’s
death, however.
“The
jury’s investigation revealed that process improvements were needed in the
areas of communication between deputies and medical professionals, training in
the identification of potential suicidal ideation when it’s not openly stated,
the application of ‘urgent need for medical care’ as defined in the Intake
Screening Implementation Plan, and the availability of appropriate mental
health professionals on a 24/7 basis,” the grand jury report stated.
Sheriff’s
deputies noted that Remijio appeared agitated and paranoid during the previous
day’s welfare check, believing he was being chased by armed individuals.
He
later told deputies that he had taken methamphetamine within the last 24 hours
and was withdrawing.
A
registered nurse with Wellpath, the Sheriff’s Department’s health-care
partner, conducted Remijio’s intake evaluation. According to the report, the
evaluation “found no evidence of mental illness or past or present drug use and
no need for any special accommodation for mental health reasons.”
According
to the report, the RN’s suicide risk intake screening needs to consider the
“transporting officer’s impressions about risk.”
“In
(Remijio’s) case, it is disputed whether this information was shared as
required,” the report said, stating that the transporting officer said the RN
had been informed of his paranoid behavior, but the RN denied ever being
informed.
“The
evidence points to the fact that a significant breakdown in communication
occurred at that point,” the report said.
The
grand jury acknowledged the challenge the Sheriff’s Department has in
identifying mental health or substance abuse issues, and in keeping these
inmates safe.
According
to the Prison Policy Initiative, cited in the report, 41% of inmates in locally
run jails have been diagnosed with mental illness, and suicides account for
nearly 30% of in-custody deaths.
Locally,
the county Department of Behavioral Wellness reported that each year, 60% of
inmates in the Main Jail have had past contact with Behavioral Wellness,
compared to the 33% national average.
The
grand jury also noted the fact that, due to Wellpath’s contract, there are no
on-site mental health professionals in the jail between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.,
which “can allow for urgent medical needs to go untreated in a timely manner.”
Some
of the grand jury’s recommendations include establishing and improving joint
training with sheriff’s deputies and Wellpath health professionals, proposing
around-the-clock coverage by mental health professionals, and reducing the time
between identification and initiation of medical and mental health protocols.
“The
best defense against errors in judgment affecting inmate safety are targeted
processes and procedures, in-depth training, specified communication
requirements, and application of lessons learned from any failures that occur,”
the report stated.
“Work
has already begun in several areas that could help reduce future suicides
within the Santa Barbara County jail system. ... While significant progress has
been made, the 2021 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury believes that further
changes and improvements are needed.”
The
grand jury has requested responses to its findings and recommendations from the
Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, which
have 60 days and 90 days to respond, respectively.
Noozhawk.com
By Serena Guentz
January 9, 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment