Lawmakers To Introduce Bill Requiring Independent Investigations Into Inmate Deaths

Two Democratic state lawmakers plan to unveil legislation Wednesday that would require independent investigations when any inmate dies while in custody.

Milwaukee Democrats Sen. Chris Larson and Rep. David Crowley authored the bill they’re calling the Jail Death Transparency Act. Although the bill applies broadly to inmate deaths across the state, it was spurred by a string of deaths at the Milwaukee County Jail.

The bill is about transparency and accountability, Crowley told WPR on Monday.

“I think that if we have independent investigations, it would set a precedent that there was some type of protocol, but also give a level of confidence in the system as it relates to who’s actually holding them accountable,” Crowley said.

Four people died at the Milwaukee County Jail over the span of six months in 2016.

So far, the deaths have resulted in an audit of the jail’s medical care, two federal lawsuits — one related to the death of a newborn and another related to the death of Terrill Thomas, whose death from dehydration was ruled a homicide — and a judicial inquest from Milwaukee County prosecutors that has raised the possibility of felony abuse or neglect charges for jail staff.

In January, Crowley publicly called on Gov. Scott Walker to remove Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke in light of the deaths. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and declined to comment on the bill.

Both lawmakers will hold a press conference announcing the bill Wednesday morning at the state Capitol in Madison.