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Wayne County Jail
While investigating numerous complaints that the Wayne County Jail routinely failed to provide crucial services to inmates with disabilities, the Detroit U.S. Attorney's Office learned that there had been eight suicides in a 13-month period in 2016-2017.
Specifically, the feds investigated allegations that Wayne County failed to routinely provide inmates with disabilities access to appropriate prescription medication, mental health services and medical equipment. Complaints also included failure to conduct medical and mental health assessments.
On Monday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced a "landmark settlement" with Wayne County to address the needs of inmates with disabilities.
“Wayne County has a long and troubled history of providing inadequate services to inmates who have disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison in a press release. “We recognize that Wayne County is transitioning inmates into a new facility. However, a new building does not ensure access to those vital services. This agreement addresses systemic issues that have prevented inmates who have disabilities from equal access to services, programs, and activities while at the Wayne County Jail."
The settlement calls for:
• Procedures to identify inmates who have disabilities when they arrive to the jail and
programs that will allow each inmate access to services no matter where they are assigned within the facility.
• Access to physical health, mental health, and dental services for all inmates who have
disabilities, including programs like detoxication and treatment for opioid use disorder.
• Programs to ensure the appropriate administration of medication to inmates who have
disabilities.
• Robust revisions to the suicide prevention program.
Also under the agreement, the county must provide compliance reports to the U.S. Attorney's Office and retain at least one expert consultant to help implement the settlement. The agreement remains in effect for three years,
