Seeking Justice: The Case of J’Allen Jones at Garner Correctional
A recently released video depicts the events leading up to the death of an inmate at Garner Correctional in Newtown in 2018. The inmate, J’Allen Jones, reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with correction officers while being escorted to the medical unit. The surveillance footage, now redacted, shows Jones in handcuffs being escorted by officers before being placed in a cell where CPR was administered. Despite efforts to revive him, Jones passed away at the hospital. He was serving a 10-year sentence for robbery. The video's release is part of an ongoing civil case initiated by Jones' family against the individuals involved in the incident.
Following an investigation by a state's attorney in 2019, it was concluded that Jones' death was not a result of criminal activity. DeVaughn Ward from the Office of the Correction Ombudsman expressed sympathy for Jones' family and commended their efforts to seek justice. The video has raised concerns regarding the use of force, medical response, transparency, and accountability within the correctional system. Ward highlighted the need for independent reviews in cases like this and emphasized the importance of public accountability.
The incident involving J’Allen Jones occurred before the establishment of the Office of the Correction Ombuds and the current Office of the Inspector General framework in Connecticut. Ward mentioned that if a similar incident were to happen today, both offices would have the authority to conduct independent investigations and hold individuals accountable. Despite some of the involved officers no longer being employed by the Department of Correction and the retiring of the prosecutor who declined charges, the call for public accountability remains.
Ward reflected on past advocacy efforts to enhance transparency in cases of deaths in custody, emphasizing the importance of timely and independent answers for the public and the families affected. He highlighted the need for a process that does not require families to fight for years to uncover the truth. The transparency in such cases is crucial for building public trust and ensuring accountability within the correctional system.
NBC Connecticut reached out to the CT DOC for comment but has not received a response. The release of the surveillance video has sparked discussions about the need for transparency, accountability, and independent reviews in cases of deaths in custody. The ongoing civil case filed by J’Allen Jones' family underscores the importance of seeking justice and answers in such tragic incidents.