Recent Clark County Inmate Deaths Raise Questions

Recent Clark County Inmate Deaths Raise Questions

LAS VEGAS -- Five inmates have died in recent months while in Metro Police custody. Each death was drastically different but it raises concern over how inmates are placed, evaluated and monitored.

An average of 80,000 people are booked into the Clark County Detention Center annually. On any given day, there are 3,500 inmates in a facility that was designed to hold 2,800. CCDC officials say overcrowding is definitely an issue.

Due to the different circumstances regarding each of the deceased inmates, 8 News NOW took a look at the way inmates are evaluated and monitored.

The first stop for any county inmate is the pre-arrest room at CCDC. Inmates are patted down and booked before going to a holding cell. There are six evaluations before the inmate is placed in a cell.

"From the arresting officer, to the corrections officer, to the initial medical officer, determinations are made about their mental state," said Lt. Neal Kelso, CCDC.

Nurse Melody Molinaro says every inmate must see her or another team member in order to ensure they are screened for medications or medical emergency needs.

"They basically do not miss a dose of medication," said Molinaro, who is the health services administrator with NaphCare.

CCDC won't specify how many officers monitor inmates except to say it is less than 500. Despite the safeguards, Metro Police say three inmates have died this year. This past week, an inmate suddenly collapsed unconscious. On Jan. 16, another inmate died. The coroner would only identify that the death was due to a medical episode. On Jan. 22, another person suffered a seizure and police said they were unaware the inmate had health problems.

NaphCare, a correctional healthcare provider, has 120 medical staff at CCDC. One person is always on staff.

In the event of a death, Metro Police say they investigate just as they would with any other suspicious death.

"It's treated as a crime scene. Homicide is called out," Lt. Kelso said.

If a question arises about the inmate's death, Metro's Internal Affairs steps in. In some cases, a lawsuits have been filed but Metro won't elaborate on how many in the past few years.