Detroit’s New Jail Faces Floods, Inmate Fights, and Suicide Attempt Just Weeks After Opening

Detroit’s New Jail Faces Immediate Struggles

DETROIT — In less than two weeks since its grand opening, Wayne County’s new jail has run into a series of troubling issues including floods, fights among inmates, and a serious suicide attempt by an inmate. Despite hopes for a smoother operation, the new facility is facing multiple challenges that have left staff and legal representatives concerned.

Facility’s Promises Unmet

Officials initially promoted the state-of-the-art jail as a solution to many of the problems experienced at previous jails. However, as issues arise, frustrations are becoming evident among the deputies and attorneys. Allen Cox, president of the Wayne County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, expressed disappointment, stating, “We were told that all of the things and issues that we had at the previous jails would not be an issue at the new facility. That has not been the case.”

Suicide Attempt Raises Concerns

The most alarming incident occurred when an inmate facing homicide charges attempted to take his own life inside his cell. Despite the jail being equipped with suicide-resistant features, the inmate managed to hang himself. Sources indicate that he had been flagged for suicide precautions in the past but was cleared by officials. After a recent request for mental health treatment and subsequent meeting with a nurse, he was not placed on suicide precautions the day before his attempted suicide, which has led to questions about the decision-making process.

Inmate Complaints and Disturbances

Defense attorneys have reported a surge in complaints from inmates regarding communication issues with the outside world. David Cripps, a defense attorney, mentioned that numerous clients are expressing frustration over the lack of effective communication. This dissatisfaction has resulted in inmates resorting to disruptive actions such as flooding the facility by breaking sprinkler heads.

Cox highlighted the impact of unhappy inmates on daily operations, stating, “If your inmates inside your pod or ward are not happy, you’re going to have a rough shift. It’s going to be a rough 8-16 hours.”

Challenges for Attorneys

The new jail has also created obstacles for legal representatives attempting to meet with clients. The prior facility had 25 meeting booths, but the new one has only five. This significant reduction has led to delays where meetings that previously took 15 minutes can now take hours to initiate. Gabi Silver, a criminal defense attorney, voiced her disbelief at the decision to limit meeting spaces, questioning, “How is that going to make anybody’s job easier or anybody’s access to their client easier?”

Official Response

In light of these issues, a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office acknowledged initial challenges. Ed Foxworth, a sheriff’s office representative, stated that just like moving into a new house, there may be some “kinks that need to be worked out.” He assured that their team, along with other stakeholders, is actively addressing these concerns. Looking ahead, he noted that improvements may be seen in six months to a year.

Conclusion

The situation at Wayne County’s new jail is under scrutiny as management works hard to solve these immediate challenges. With inmates expressing concerns and tragic incidents occurring, community members are awaiting a resolution that will create a safe and effective environment for both inmates and staff.