FAMILY OF FORMER WASHINGTON CO. JAIL INMATE FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT

Ed Pothul Send an email February 17, 2021
14 4,461
  

 

The family of an inmate who committed suicide at the Washington County Jail in 2019, has filed a federal lawsuit against the jail.

31-year-old Cameron Pritchett of Burton killed himself at the jail in March of 2019.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards investigated the death and issued a notice of non-compliance, maintaining the jail “failed to meet minimum TCJS standards” and that a jailer had violated those standards by “not making face-to-face observations.”

Pritchett’s family has filed suit, claiming violation of his “constitutional right to reasonable medical/mental health care.”

Constitutional rights lawyer, Dean Malone, who is representing Pritchett’s family, allowed inmates at the jail to block cell views with blankets,

Malone says the jail has ‘significant information’ on Pritchett’s ‘serious mental health issues’ due to previous incarcerations.

The family says a previous arrest indicates Pritchett suffered from bipolar disorder, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.  The suit also claims jail staff was aware Pritchett was on medication for ‘significant’ mental health issues.

The amount of the suit has not been indicated.

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Ed Pothul Send an email February 17, 2021
14 4,461

14 Comments

  1. This is so tragic but I feel blame is misplaced. Where was the concern for his safety and mental health before he got locked up? How did he end up in jail if his family made “face to face observation?” If he was medicated he was seeing a professional, right? Why did that person not follow up? Jailers are not a substitute for mental health intervention. And now hard-working county taxpayers will probably foot the bill for a settlement because everyone in this unfortunate man’s life failed him before he ever entered the jail.

    1. This is very unfortunate and where it is a families responsibility until the age of 18. At that point they are considered an adult and normally have no rights over the adult so therefore they are responsible for their own choices. The jail is responsible for their safety while in their facility and have certain protocols that should be followed. Blaming the family for this will not change the neglect that happened.

  2. The mental health care in this country is a joke. You hear politicians on both sides talk a good game but I would not expect any significant changes until they figure out how to line their pockets from it

  3. I’m am Armand Botello and Cameron was my Step son. Something REALLY need to be done about this matter because are not the first family to lose a child at the hands of Washington Co Jail. Our family is totally Crushed by the actions of the facility we desperately wish for something to be done so no one else has to lose a child. Your children are supposed to Bury you, You’re not supposed to Bury them. I understand that people make mistakes but it’s our responsibility to correct our mistakes and live up to them. I pray every day that they will Start cooperating with Mr. Malone to get this matter resolved. And make NO MISTAKE it’s not about money because NO AMOUNT of money is worth our son’s life. We have to live with his absence for the rest of our lives. Please ? pray for our family to get this resolved ASAP. God ? Bless.

    1. Mr. Botello I’m so sorry for your loss. My son was in jail at the time your son was there. I pray that they are held accountable for what could have been avoided and that God blesses your family through this.

    3. I am so sorry for your loss. We don’t always have the answers on why God allows things to happen. I am glad to see that money is not the issue here for your case. And if there are any monies awarded to you and your family through this lawsuit then I assume you will be donating all of it to a cause that would honor your son and help others that may be battling mental illness. God allows us the opportunity to help others and I know you and your family want to do that. May you find comfort in God’s Word and His truths through this difficult journey on earth.

      1. Cameron was survived by a wife and son. You assume the money would all go to line the the coiffeurs of some charity for a “worthy cause”? I hope it all goes to his wife and son. One worthy cause to help those battling mental illness would be to hold the Wash. Co. Jail accountable and make sure they step up their game in a BIG way from here on out.

  4. If this person had all these issues I just don’t understand why this person’s family or medical care physician did not step in to provide the appropriate care for them before all this occurred. What did this person do to end up in jail?
    Sorry for your loss, God is now taking care of your loved one.

    1. It’s difficult to trying to help an adult with health issues of any kind, especially mental health issues. Effective measures are near impossible, in fact

  5. Yea somebody needs it don’t make no sense how prejudice they are down there my son was in there one night and they didn’t even offer him a meal and when I called down there and questioned them about they lied and got smart

    1. I didn’t get fed either. Holding cell overnight don’t. I screwed up not the jail. Quit blaming others for reasons we can control.