Arkansas County Settles $3M Lawsuit Over Inmate's Death in Jail

In a unanimous decision, the Sebastian County Quorum Court has approved a $3 million settlement with the family of Larry Eugene Price Jr., who died while in custody at the county jail. The settlement, reached on August 21, 2024, comes three years after Price's death from dehydration and malnutrition.

Price, who was 51 at the time of his passing, had been held in the Sebastian County jail for over a year awaiting trial on a terroristic threatening charge. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that the jail and its medical provider, Oklahoma-based Turn Key Health Clinics, neglected Price's health needs during his incarceration.

According to court documents, Price had a history of serious mental illness and developmental disabilities. He was arrested in August 2020 after an incident at the Fort Smith Police Department, where he reportedly made threatening gestures towards officers. At the time of his arrest, Price was experiencing homelessness.

The lawsuit claimed that during Price's time in solitary confinement, his weight plummeted from 185 pounds (84 kilograms) to a mere 90 pounds (41 kilograms). It also alleged that jail staff discontinued Price's mental health medications after he refused to take them, without making efforts to address his ongoing mental health needs.

This case has brought attention to several issues plaguing the criminal justice system, particularly the treatment of mentally ill individuals in correctional facilities. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, which includes the right to adequate medical care for inmates.

Previous inspections of the Sebastian County jail had identified problems such as overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate space. These issues are not unique to Sebastian County, as many jails across the United States face similar challenges that can compromise inmate safety and well-being.

The settlement of this case highlights the importance of addressing mental health needs in the criminal justice system and ensuring proper care for all individuals in custody, regardless of their mental state or the nature of their charges.

"We acknowledge the tragic circumstances surrounding Mr. Price's death and hope this settlement brings some closure to his family. We are committed to reviewing and improving our jail procedures to prevent such incidents in the future."

While the county has agreed to the settlement, an attorney for Turn Key Health Clinics stated that they had also entered into a settlement but could not comment until the terms were finalized.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness within the criminal justice system and the critical need for adequate care and oversight in correctional facilities.