Inmate Raymundo Carranza Died Following Medical Emergency At Texas Department of Criminal Justice Allred Unit In Iowa Park
WITCHITA COUNTY, TEXAS (November 15, 2023) - A 56-year-old inmate identified as Raymundo Carranza has tragically died following the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Allred Unit in Iowa Park.
Wichita County officials are saying that the incident began on October 6. Raymundo Carranza was being treated for some type of medical condition when his health took a turn for the worst.
He continued to receive treatment for around 10 days. Sadly, Raymundo Carranza was pronounced dead on October 16. A full investigation into the in-custody death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Iowa Park Inmate Deaths
Far too many people die in-custody every year. Inmates are much more likely to die than people in the general public with the same health profile. According to Health Affairs, “On average, about 1.40 deaths occurred annually per 1,000 incarcerated people. About 0.62 deaths per 1,000 incarcerated people were illness-related deaths, 0.53 were suicides, and 0.15 were acute drug- or alcohol-related deaths.” There are many other causes of inmate deaths.
- Fatal drug overdoses
- Drug/alcohol intoxication
- Chronic health problems
- Homicides
All jails have a legal obligation to tend to the medical needs of all of the inmates that they care for. This includes care for all of the pre-existing medical issues that inmates have. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. A private health provider could also be liable. It is common for jails to outsource healthcare to private corporations. There are many actions that jail officials should take that could contribute to an in-custody death.
- Jail officials may fail to get an inmate prompt medical care.
- Jail officials may not follow the directions of medical staff.
- Jail officials may put an inmate in a prone position which restricts their breathing.
- Jail officials may not give an inmate the medication that they required.
In-custody deaths can often be very complex events. There is typically no one cause that leads to an inmate’s death. However, many deaths do involve some amount of medical neglect which can exasperate pre-existing health conditions. The family of any person that died in custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Iowa Park Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Raymundo Carranza. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that this particular jail will implement measures to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Wichita County inmate death? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of civil rights advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that jails are upholding constitutional standards and are held responsible for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.