Milwaukee County Jail deaths; protesters call for transparency
MILWAUKEE - Activists are calling for major changes inside the Milwaukee County Jail, pointing Friday to six in-custody deaths over the past 14 months.
Some in-custody deaths were from illness – others, suicide. Protesters, including grieving family members, said the jail was no place for their loved ones to get the proper care.
"Let’s let that sink in – that’s six deaths," said Alan Chavoya, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression outreach chair.
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Though the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office found no basis for criminal liability in the suicide death of 21-year-old Brieon Green, his mother is still fighting for him.
"Our loved ones, our kids are here and supposed to be protected by law officials," said Laquita Dunlap, Green's mother. "What was his supervision and his proper cell check and everything else? We’re still asking for accountability."
Brieon Green
Dunlap said she wants that for other families, too. Cilivea Thyrion died by suicide in the jail last December; again, the district attorney's office determined there was no criminal wrongdoing.
Thyrion's family said she had mental health issues and wasn’t properly cared for.
"When will these deaths stop?" said Chavoya.
Group seeks to address Milwaukee County Jail inmate concerns after Cilivea Thyrion's death
The six in-custody deaths protesters pointed two Friday included two men who died in the hospital from illness. They also noted 37-year-old Terrence Mack and 49-year-old Octaviano Juarez-Corro – both found unresponsive in their cells.
A correctional officer was charged in connection to Juarez-Coro’s death; Laquisha Cowser is accused of skipping cell-checks.
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A recent report from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office highlights jail overpopulation and staffing issues. But the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression said staffing isn’t the problem: The jail itself is.
"There are many people like Cilivea and Brieon (who) should not be treated inside a county jail," Chavoya said. "There should be alternatives that are publicly funded that could provide a lot of people with those mental health issues the services they require and deserve."
The protest also called for civilian oversight and a town hall with Sheriff Denita Ball.
"Until we have something like this in place, there will be more in-custody deaths regardless of how much money we give to the sheriff," said Chavoya.
According to its recent report, the sheriff's office is asking for funding for a staffing study – and potentially funding for more staffing. FOX6 News reached out to them for comment, but did not hear back by Friday's deadline.
An outside agency investigates all in-custody deaths.