Seven NC prison workers lose jobs over inmate’s death
By Craig Jarvis, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
A captain and four nurses have been fired, and a psychologist and another nurse have resigned. Other employees at
Authorities are trying to find out what led to the death of
Kerr, 53, had significant mental illness and medical disabilities, according to an advocacy group for the disabled. He was serving a sentence of up to nearly 32 years as a habitual felon, and had a criminal record dating back to at least 1995, mostly for larceny and breaking-and-entering convictions.
He was sent to the
Leading up to his death, Kerr had been in solitary confinement for disciplinary reasons for 45 days.
"We have a very intensive investigation going on because it's a very serious matter to us and we want to try to get to the bottom of what may have happened as quickly as possible," Walker said. "We don't want to compromise the investigation."
No signs of trauma
The state government's
"Early indication is there was no physical confrontation with anyone," Walker said.
The state doesn't have a specific policy that addresses when a prisoner should be taken to
The five employees who were dismissed were identified as:
There are ongoing investigations by the public safety department, the
Sister had concerns
Kerr's sister,
According to the
On
As the state's designated protection and advocacy agency under federal law, Disabilty Rights N.C. has access to prisoners and some records if it receives a complaint or the prisoner is a client.
"Each case is different," Smith said. "It might look simple but when you peel away the layers it isn't. Or it might look complicated but turns out to be simple."
Researcher
Jarvis: 919-829-4576;
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