Timothy Souders
Timothy Souders was 21 years old, and his mother, Theresa Vaughn, says his mental health declined in his late teens and that he was often in and out of hospitals. He was held at Southern Michigan Correctional Center in Jackson County, Michigan, where, according to CBS News reporting, he was kept in solitary confinement and chained to a bed for many hours at a time over several days. Prison surveillance video shows his health declining, and 60 Minutes reported that he died of dehydration on August 6, 2006. The state prison system's director said restraints are used for protection rather than punishment, while a federal judge overseeing the prison criticized the practice, and a lawsuit over his death is pending. Vaughn says she does not believe anyone meant to kill him, but that they did hurt him.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). 60 Minutes reports that prison staff kept Timothy Souders chained to a bed for many hours over several days while he became dehydrated, and a lawsuit over his death is pending.
Reported by: 60 Minutes (reporters).
Lawsuit: His family filed a lawsuit over his death, which remains pending according to the reporting.