LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Following two in-custody deaths this month at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, the families of those who have died are calling for change.
Amber Duke, ACLU of Kentucky executive director, said there are more than 1,400 people incarcerated in the facility. In her words, they are in "immediate danger."
Faith is important to Deandrae Hughes; his mother, 53-year-old Shawnta Hughes, died Nov. 6 inside LMDC. He said she was supposed to get out the next day.
“I’m certainly frustrated," Hughes said. "There’s certainly a fire burning in my heart. I’m disappointed most of all. I’m disappointed that my mother had to die in a jail.”
He said he found out about her death from the news and is still waiting for answers.
“I’m still waiting on a call from the chaplain," Hughes said. "He still hasn’t answered my calls, voicemails; he doesn’t return my calls."
"The coroner, they just are saying, everything is pending. The investigation’s pending. I know there’s a pending investigation in Metro Corrections.”
Hughes joined other people and organizations at the ACLU of Kentucky to demand answers, action and an end to deaths at LMDC.
“Clearly, there are systemic failures that are coming together to create an uptick in these deaths," Duke said at a Thursday news conference. "This is an ongoing humanitarian crisis. No one should die in jail.”
They said they think city officials can and should take steps now including investments into lifesaving programs. They urged Judiciary members to make careful decisions about cash bail when people are before them, as well as get the jail’s information dashboard back online.
Another goal is community accountability around the health care system.
"People should demand from the mayor and Metro Council that we want a community-based agency doing the health care in the jail," said Cara Wallace of Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice. "What we have now is leading to deaths."
This comes as Deandrae gets ready to celebrate his 29th birthday tomorrow, but without his mother.
“I won’t give up," Hughes said. “I can’t give up.”
Hughes said the cause of his mother’s death has not yet been released.
Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, issued a statement on the Nov. 19 in-custody death at LMDC.
"Mental health services have been made available for incarcerated individuals who may have been impacted by this death," Greenberg said. "(LMDC) Chief (Jerry) Collins has activated the Metro Corrections Peer Support Team for all staff."
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life," Collins added.