Just Another Statistic

[killerweed420]

Here's another sad page in American history. From Raw Story
C/P
Houston police mum on marijuana prisoner’s death

By David Edwards and Stephen Webster

Published: June 23, 2009
Updated 4 hours ago

A woman serving a short sentence in a Houston, Texas, jail for possession of marijuana died in custody over the weekend, and officers are not saying how or why.

The 29-year-old, identified as Theresa Anthony, had expected to spend just two and a half weeks behind bars in the Harris County lockup. On Saturday, Cynthia Prude, Theresa’s mother, received a phone call from the jail’s Chaplain informing her that her daughter was dead.

“I almost got in a wreck,” Prude told the local Fox affiliate. “I thought somebody was playing on the phone. I would like to know what happened to my daughter.”

Prude has not been allowed to see the body, nor has the Harris County Sheriff’s Department even spoken with her, according to area media.

“Today I still don’t know if that’s my daughter,” Prude told Houston news station KHOU. “I’m only going by a Social Security number that we got from Ben Taub Hospital.”

Houston’s Fox affiliate noted that an autopsy has not yet been conducted on Theresa’s body.

The Harris County Sheriff Department’s public information officer was not available to answer RAW STORY’s questions.

Not the first time

It is hardly the first time serious questions surrounded the death of a Harris County inmate.

On 4 June 2009, the Justice Department concluded a 15 months-long investigation into the Harris County facility and determined in the subsequent 27-page report that over 142 prisoners had died there since 2001. Most expired due to lack of medical care, the report claims.

The Associated Press noted that after the Justice Department declined to make its findings public, The Houston Chronicle was able to obtain a copy, which it released on the Internet.

The findings, addressed to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, lauded the prison’s efforts to maintain security, booking and intake programs and take basic fire safety precautions. The Justice Department said that by these measures, the facility “complies with constitutional requirements in a number of significant respects.”

The Justice Department added that in spite of these marginal safety and procedural issues, “certain conditions at the jail violate the constitutional rights of detainees. Indeed, the number of inmate deaths related to inadequate medical care [...] is alarming.”

killerweed420 Reviewed by killerweed420 on 06-23-2009. Just Another Statistic Here's another sad page in American history. From Raw Story C/P Houston police mum on marijuana prisoner’s death By David Edwards and Stephen Webster Published: June 23, 2009 Updated 4 hours ago A woman serving a short sentence in a Houston, Texas, jail for possession of marijuana died in custody over the weekend, and officers are not saying how or why. Rating: 5

[gypski]

I read the same articvle. Amazing.

[killerweed420]

Feels like we're living in a 3rd world country.

[yokinazu]

Feels like we're living in a 3rd world country.

some americans are.

[Medicaldelivery]

Feels like we're living in a 3rd world country.

That's what I was about to say. But then again remember after Katrina, the government took forever acting on relief of people and I remember reports of dead bodies laying on the street. We're supposed to be the most civilized country in the world...then again.

[ijustloveweed]

damn, why does it have to be texas i live like 20 - 30 minutes from this place

[MPLSweedman]

unbelievable. burn that place down

[killerweed420]

The American has really been sold a bill of goods on incarceration of nonviolent offenders. Its time to restructure are jail system so people aren't getting rich off of it and its actually doing good for the public. I'd much rather see nonviolent offenders have to do community service. There's tons of shit that needs to be done in all our communities. We could put them to work

[gypski]

The American has really been sold a bill of goods on incarceration of nonviolent offenders. Its time to restructure are jail system so people aren't getting rich off of it and its actually doing good for the public. I'd much rather see nonviolent offenders have to do community service. There's tons of shit that needs to be done in all our communities. We could put them to work

I agree. And if they don't, then jail them. I've done my share of community service over the years. I won't kill you. :thumbsup:

[radtek]

Well Harris county is an oddity. It's Jail and Judicial system and Sheriff dept is notorious for their quirks and corruption. And, if you've ever been to Houston, some wide parts of it are pretty damn scary and uncivilized. Please don't insult third world countries...LOL.

+1 for keeping simple marijuana offenders out of jail. Unless they are gangbangers. They should be thrown under the jail!

That's how I feel I make no apologies if you are are "bangin".