Inmate Nathaniel Valle (Full Name: Nathaniel Levi-Petri Valle) Died At Texas Department of Criminal Justice Goree Unit In Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (January 25, 2024) - A 26-year-old inmate identified as Nathaniel Valle has tragically died in-custody at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Goree Unit in Huntsville.
TDCJ officials are saying that the death took place on January 23. Correctional officers noticed that Nathaniel Valle was in some type of medical distress.
Medical staff began life-saving measures which were taken over by paramedics. Despite those efforts, Nathaniel Valle was later pronounced dead.
Very few details about the death have been released at this time. Officials have only indicated that the manner of death was due to an “illness/natural cause.”
A full investigation remains ongoing.
Liability For TDCJ Goree Unit Inmate Deaths
Jails are supposed to be places of rehabilitation. But far too often, inmates die during the course of their stay. Many of these deaths occur before they are even convicted of the crimes they are being held on. According to National Public Radio, “Unlike state and federal prisons, which hold people convicted of serious crimes, jails are locally run lockups meant to detain people awaiting arraignment or trial, or those serving short sentences. The toll of jail inmates who die without a case resolution subverts a fundamental tenet of the U.S. criminal justice system: innocent until proven guilty.” Jails should take a number of measures in order to reduce the likelihood of inmate deaths.
- Inmates should get a thorough health screening when they are first admitted.
- Jails should make sure that inmates get mental health services.
- Jails should identify which inmates are at a greater risk of self-harm.
- Jail staff should be trained to understand when an inmate is going through a medical emergency.
Jails have a legal obligation to take reasonable measures in order to keep inmates safe. This includes providing all inmates with adequate healthcare. Inmates with pre-existing medical conditions will typically need more care than others. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Any number of medical conditions could potentially contribute to an inmate’s death.
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Sepsis
- Respiratory illnesses
Jail officials are supposed to be proactive about keeping inmates healthy. But in far too many situations, this does not take place. One prison in Placerville is being sued after a man died due to not being given his medication for HIV. It is important for inmates and their family members to understand that they do have rights afforded by the constitution. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating TDCJ Goree Unit Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Nathaniel Valle. Any person that may have more information should reach out to authorities. It is our sincere hope that prison officials will take concrete measures to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about an inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to assist you in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any inmate death we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.