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Jail Deaths

An illustration depicts two correctional officers dressed in gray shirts and black pants standing in front of a beige wall with barred windows high above them. At a distance in shadows lies the body of an incarcerated person wearing an teal prison jumpsuit crumpled on the floor.
Investigate This October 28
Journalists: How to Report on Deaths in Jails and Prisons
When you get a tip about a death or multiple deaths in your local jail or prison, there are concrete steps you can take to start investigating.
By , and
Tasha Grant, a Black woman with close-cropped hair and wearing a dark blue shirt, sits on a hospital bed and can be seen talking with a medical staff member who stands a few feet away to the left of the frame, wearing dark blue scrubs over a red hooded sweatshirt. His face is blurred out.
Cleveland October 21
‘A Significant Failure’: Experts Cite Mistakes in Cleveland Hospital Restraint Death
Tasha Grant told a deputy and hospital staff 23 times that she could not breathe. Instead of an evaluation, she got handcuffs and skepticism.
By , and
A photo shows a black electronic device attached to the wrist of a person with medium skin tone.
Feature October 8
Can a Biometric Bracelet Stop People From Dying Behind Bars?
Jails across the country are trying a high-tech solution to keep prisoners safe. Will it work?
By Peter O’Dowd and Allison Hagan, Here & Now
A group of people are gathered at an outdoor press conference. Two hold signs reading "Justice for Sharday." One woman with tears streaming down her face holds a baby. News video cameras are in the foreground.
Cleveland October 7
Pressure Mounts on Cuyahoga Sheriff for Independent Probe of Tasha Grant’s Restraint Death
Community advocates and surviving family members also want the sheriff to step aside in two other death investigations involving deputies.
By , and
An illustration of a family at the start of a path looking toward their relative in the distance, at the end of the path. Panels of black-and-white photo collages, including family photos, surround the illustration.
Life Inside September 26
When Their Loved Ones Died Behind Bars, These Families Had to Sleuth for the Truth
After a family member passes away in prison or jail, people are often left with basic questions. To get answers, they have to get creative.
By , and
A view of the top of the Cuyahoga County Justice Complex, which includes the county jail. The building has narrow horizontal windows, and is partly in shadow.
Cleveland September 25
‘She Had No Legs. Why Would They Restrain Her?’: A Cleveland Woman Died in Custody
Officials said Tasha Grant’s heart stopped from the restraint. A special prosecutor is reviewing the actions of hospital workers and a deputy.
By , and
An illustration shows a maze made up of teal blue lines, on a black background. Interspersed in the maze are nine simplified figures of people of different genders and ages. In the center of the maze is a white speech bubble.
Get Involved August 6
After a Death Behind Bars, Families Struggle for Answers. This Guide Can Help.
Learn what questions to ask prison or jail officials, how to request key records and what to consider if you’re thinking about legal action.
By
A Black woman in a blouse with ruffled sleeves stands with her back to the camera facing a gravestone that has a vase of flowers set upon it.
Feature August 6
Who Answers for a Death in Custody?
A Houston mother is one of many nationwide left with grief and unanswered questions when a loved one dies behind bars.
By , and
A woman with long, wavy red hair, whose face is not visible, looks out a window with blue curtains. Behind her is a tall vase with green leaves in it. A stack of diapers is on a chair.
Cleveland May 15
Uncounted: Ohio’s Failure to Track Lost Pregnancies in Jails Spurs Questions Over Care
One woman’s pregnancy ended in the Cuyahoga County Jail amid ignored cries for help and an “egregious performance failure” by medical staff.
By , The Marshall Project, and Scott Noll, News 5 Cleveland
[Use this form](https://airtable.com/appR7SW9BhPZGdXp9/pagoMplkqm6bNwKLQ/form) to tell us about your experience when someone died in custody.
Get Involved April 10
Did Your Family Member Die in Prison or Jail? What Happened Next?
Your insights help inform The Marshall Project’s reporting on what families go through when someone dies in custody.
By The Marshall Project
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