Jerry Craigen Died At Galveston Jail

Inmate Jerry Craigen (Full Name: Jerry Louis Craigen) Died Following Medical Emergency At Galveston Jail

GALVESTON, TEXAS (December 18, 2023) – A 63-year-old inmate identified as Jerry Craigen has tragically died following a medical emergency at Galveston Hospital.

Galveston County officials are saying that the incident began on November 18. Jerry Craigen was admitted to the hospital due to a medical condition.

His condition continued to decline during his stay at the hospital. Sadly, on December 12, Jerry Craigen was pronounced dead by medical staff. His medical cause of death was listed as acute respiratory failure.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Galveston Inmate Deaths

Thousands of inmates die in custody every year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “A total of 4,234 persons died in state and federal prisons in 2019, a 6.6% decrease from the 4,515 deaths in 2018 reported to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) Mortality in Correctional Institutions (MCI, formerly the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program) data collection.” Pulmonary conditions remain a significant cause of inmate illness and death. There are many pulmonary conditions that could contribute to an inmate’s death.

• Pneumonia
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Asthma
• Pulmonary embolism
• Tuberculosis

The Supreme Court of the United States has held time and time again that inmates must receive adequate medical care during their incarceration. Failing to give inmates proper medical care is a form of cruel and unusual punishment and is therefore prohibited. A jail may have contributed to an inmate’s respiratory illness in a number of ways.

• Respiratory illnesses are more likely to be present at jails that are overcrowded.
• Poor ventilation can also contribute to the spread of airborne infections.
• Jails may fail to treat an inmate’s substance abuse disorder, which can also impact their respiratory health.

Inmate deaths are often highly preventable. They tend to occur when jail officials are indifferent about the health needs of the inmates that they are charged with caring for. In many situations, inmates may request to be seen by a doctor only to have these requests consistently ignored. The family of any person that died in a Galveston County jail may have legal recourse through a a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can let you know if any inmate death was due to medical neglect.

Investigating Galveston Inmate Deaths

We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jerry Craigen. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. The sheer number of deaths at Galveston County jails remains deeply concerning.

Do you need more information about a Galveston County inmate death? You may have legal recourse. Our team of civil rights advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are held accountable for their neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 469-966-7614.