Context:

Five medical employees at the Walker County Jail in Jasper, Alabama, have been indicted in connection with the death of Tony Mitchell, a mentally ill inmate who died from hypothermia after being held in inhumane conditions. The charges include conspiracy against rights and deprivation of rights, highlighting failures to provide constitutional conditions of confinement despite concerns raised by corrections officers. Mitchell, who was arrested after a welfare check revealed mental distress, was held in a concrete cell without basic necessities for two weeks, leading to his death. The investigation into Mitchell's death has resulted in a total of 25 indictments, revealing a pervasive culture of abuse and corruption within the jail. The civil claims against the Walker County Sheriff's department employees have been settled, but those against the contracted medical care provider, Quality Correctional Health Care, are still pending.

Dive Deeper:

• Tony Mitchell, a 33-year-old inmate with mental health issues, died from hypothermia in January 2023 after being held for two weeks in a concrete cell at the Walker County Jail without basic necessities such as clothing or a blanket.

• The indictment accuses five medical staff members of failing to provide Mitchell with necessary care and constitutional conditions of confinement, despite corrections officers raising concerns about his health.

• Walker County outsourced its jail medical care to Quality Correctional Health Care (QCHC Inc.), and the indicted staff members were employed by this company; the civil claims against QCHC and its staff are still unresolved.

• Mitchell's case has led to a broader investigation into the jail's operations, resulting in 25 indictments and uncovering a culture of abuse, with jail staff allegedly maintaining poor conditions to pressure for increased funding.

• Separate indictments have charged six additional employees, including high-ranking jail officials, with federal deprivation of rights and conspiracy, as part of a wider investigation into abusive practices at the jail.