A Washington
state sheriff has apologized for a county jail inmate's death from
dehydration and malnutrition in April, saying it resulted from a
systematic breakdown of jail operations.
Island County Sheriff Mark Brown released a report Thursday in the case
of Keaton Farris, 25, of Lopez Island, who was found dead April 8 in his
cell.
"I am truly sorry for this tragic death," Brown wrote in the report.
"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our inmates and
staff and this report describes a systematic breakdown of policies,
procedures and communication that led to this tragedy."
Family members said Farris had struggled with mental illness in the past two years and been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but had improved with medication.
The jail's chief deputy was suspended for 30 days without pay, and a
lieutenant was placed on paid leave, the Daily Herald of Everett
reported ( http://is.gd/Hp9BxJ ). Two corrections deputies have resigned since being put on leave after the death.
"We are determined to do everything possible to minimize the chances of
this kind of a tragedy from occurring in our jail ever again," Brown
said, adding he had met with the inmate's father, Fred Farris, to
express his condolences.
An outside expert will be hired to review jail operations and make recommendations, the sheriff said.
Coroner Robert Bishop found the cause of death was dehydration with a
contributing factor of malnutrition. He ruled the manner of death to be
natural causes.
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