Two Louisiana males, former jail wardens, have been at this time sentenced to 5 years in jail and greater than 4 years in jail respectively for being willfully detached to an inmate’s critical medical wants.

On account of this civil rights violation, 19-year-old Nimali Henry died within the custody of St. Bernard Parish Jail (SBPP) on April 1, 2014. Henry died after failing to obtain medical remedy for his uncommon blood dysfunction. and different medical situations in the course of the ten days she was incarcerated.

Former SBPP captain André Dominick, 61, of New Orleans, was sentenced to 5 years in jail. Dominick beforehand pleaded responsible to violating Henry’s civil rights underneath the guise of the regulation. By pleading responsible, Dominick admitted that he knew Henry had critical medical wants that required medicine. Dominick admitted that he had reviewed Henry’s written request for assist, by which she wrote that if she didn’t proceed the medical remedy prescribed by her physician, there was a 90% probability that she would die. Dominick additionally spoke with Henry about his state of well being; spoke with Henry’s social employee, who confirmed his medical wants; and noticed the deterioration of Henry’s bodily situation whereas she was in jail. Nonetheless, regardless of figuring out Henry’s destiny, Dominick – who additionally acted as a health care provider whereas incarcerated – took no cheap steps to supply her with the medical care she wanted, as he was required to. do underneath the regulation.

Former SBPP Corporal Timothy Williams, 41, of New Orleans, was sentenced to 57 months in jail. Williams additionally pleaded responsible to violating Henry’s civil rights underneath cowl of the regulation. In his responsible plea, Williams admitted that he knew from his conversations with Henry and his fellow inmates that Henry had critical well being points requiring medicine. Williams additionally personally noticed Henry as she grew more and more sick all through her incarceration. Nonetheless, Williams took no cheap steps to acquire the mandatory medical consideration for Henry for his critical medical wants, as required by regulation. In her factual foundation, Williams additional admitted that, relatively than acquiring medical remedy for Henry, he positioned her in a holding cell, a placement normally reserved for inmates who misbehave, to be able to dissuade her from submit future medical complaints. He additionally informed Henry’s fellow inmates to cease asking for assistance on Henry’s behalf.

“Nimali Henry’s dying isn’t the results of negligence or lack of judgment. Her dying was the gradual, painful and fully preventable results of the deliberate decisions made by these defendants, every of whom knew that they’d a constitutional obligation to supply the mandatory medical care to a younger girl who was fully depending on them for her life. ‘assist whereas she was of their care,’ stated Senior Assistant Deputy Lawyer Normal Pamela S. Karlan of the Civil Rights Division of the Division of Justice. “Prosecuting jail officers who deliberately violate their constitutional duties is an important a part of the Division’s mission.”

“Defending the entire civil rights of our residents is an important a part of our Structure,” stated US Lawyer Duane A. Evans for the Jap District of Louisiana. “The violation of those rights, particularly on this case by correctional officers who’ve sworn to guard the rights of inmates, erodes public confidence in our correctional system. The general public should have the ability to imagine that correctional officers perform their duties with honesty and that they’re trustworthy throughout federal investigations or that they face the results of their actions. Our workplace, together with the Division of Justice, the FBI, state and native regulation enforcement businesses will proceed to analyze and prosecute any violation of the civil rights of our residents.

“Captain Andre Dominick and Corporal Timothy Williams have been accountable for the welfare of the inmates of St. Bernard Parish Jail. stated Particular Agent in Cost Bryan A. Vorndran for the FBI Area Workplace in New Orleans. “Correctional officers have a sworn obligation to make sure that inmates are protected relatively than abused or uncared for. Their actions are a shame to all correctional officers who serve ethically and proceed to keep up excessive ethical requirements in our correctional amenities. As a result of decisions every accused made, Nimali Henry didn’t get the care and a spotlight she wanted to cope with her identified well being points, which finally resulted in her dying. The FBI Area Workplace in New Orleans values ​​its partnerships with the Civil Rights Division of the Division of Justice and the US Lawyer’s Workplace for the Jap District of Louisiana and we stay dedicated to defending the rights of all Individuals, together with together with inmates.

On March 10, two former SBBP assistants, Lisa Vaccarella and Debra Becnel, have been condemned for his or her position in concealing the circumstances of Henry’s dying.

This case was investigated by the FBI and was collectively prosecuted by trial legal professional Christine M. Siscaretti of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. deputy attorneys Chandra Menon and Tracey N. Knight for the district. is from Louisiana.