Ricardo Daughtry
Ricardo Daughtry, 40, was held at the Special Management Unit in Jackson, Georgia, and was the lead plaintiff in a long-running lawsuit over conditions there. He was found dead in his cell in 2024, less than two months after a federal judge issued a contempt order against the state prison system. His attorneys say prison records obtained through the case show that policy required checks every 30 minutes, yet no one looked in on him for nearly seven hours. The Georgia Department of Corrections has released little information, citing a pending autopsy and investigation, and the cause and manner of death have not been determined.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). His attorneys say prison records show staff did not do the required 30-minute checks for nearly seven hours before he was found dead, and they dispute the records logged after his death; the Georgia Department of Corrections has released little, citing a pending autopsy and investigation.