North Vernon, IN — Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding says there were no criminal acts committed by Jennings County Jail staff in the death of an inmate in late May, but a report from Indiana State Police-Versailles Post detectives has concluded that the jail did not follow all of its procedures to ensure the prisoner’s safety.
Belding has released his office’s report on the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Sandra Ray of North Vernon, who was found unresponsive in her cell on May 26.
Ray was arrested on a charge of Operating While Intoxicated and was housed in a cell by herself.
Autopsy results indicate Ray died as a result of complications of chronic alcoholism and withdrawals.
Belding and ISP detectives concluded that there was no evidence of a crime in connection with Ray’s death and that no charges were warranted.
However, the report concluded that some procedures were not followed. The jail has protocols for inmates possibly going through alcohol withdrawals to be checked every hour for the first four hours of incarceration, and then every two hours. Also, a doctor is to be called at the first sign of tremors or alter consciousness.
According to an ISP investigator, Ray was continually observed on video surveillance from the time she was booked.
The report indicates only three checks were recorded between May 24 and 26, and a doctor was not called despite evidence of tremors. It’s also not clear if the jail nurse was notified about Ray’s condition.
Belding’s report can be read here.
