Jamal Harris
Jamal Harris was 23 years old and had moved to Elayn Hunt correctional facility in St Gabriel, Louisiana, to be closer to his mother so she could visit more often. He had earned a high school diploma and a welder's certificate, was taking college courses, and was preparing to start a new life when he was released. He died on the night of 12 November 2022 while held in solitary segregation at the facility. Fellow prisoners and his mother say he was denied his psychiatric and asthma medication, that his requests for emergency help went unanswered, that he was placed in solitary after objecting, and that he took his own life. The Louisiana Department of Corrections says the death is under investigation and denies withholding medication.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Fellow prisoners and Harris's mother say he was denied psychiatric and asthma medication and that his emergency requests for help were ignored, while the Louisiana Department of Corrections says the death is under investigation and denies withholding medication.
Reported by: fellow prisoners; Harris's mother (family or their lawyers); Louisiana Department of Corrections (the agency that held him).