A settlement of $7 million has been reached by a Detroit-area county in response to the death of a man who was fatally beaten by another inmate while serving time for a misdemeanor. The incident occurred at the Wayne County jail, prompting federal prosecutor Dawn Ison to address the jail’s inadequate services for individuals with disabilities and mental health issues.
Thomas Carr, 53, tragically passed away after sustaining severe head injuries during his brief incarceration for drunken driving. The assailant, a fellow inmate with a history of mental health problems and domestic violence charges, attacked Carr in their shared cell.
Reports from The Detroit News revealed that despite the jail staff’s awareness of the cellmate’s potential danger, appropriate precautions were not taken, such as housing the individual in a mental health unit or segregating him from others. A staffing emergency was cited by the sheriff’s office at the time of the incident in July 2023.
A spokesperson, Doda Lulgjuraj, disclosed that Wayne County will contribute $5 million towards the settlement, with the remaining $2 million covered by insurance. Carr’s sister, Virginia Adkins, emphasized the injustice of receiving a death sentence for a misdemeanor offense.
Prior to Carr’s death, the federal government had received numerous complaints regarding the lack of access to medications, mental health services, and medical equipment at the jail, prompting an investigation into its operations. The Wayne County jail has agreed to enhance mental health services for inmates with disabilities and implement other necessary changes, including providing progress reports and hiring a consultant.
Highlighting inmate health and safety as paramount, Wayne County attorney James Heath affirmed that the jail is committed to prioritizing the well-being of all individuals in its care.
