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Thread: Inmate Mistakenly Held in Solitary Confinement for 22 Months, Never Brought to Court

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  1. #1
    Registered User LAGC's Avatar

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    Unhappy Inmate Mistakenly Held in Solitary Confinement for 22 Months, Never Brought to Court

    Stephen Slevin spent 22 months in solitary confinement in a New Mexico jail. During that time, his mental health deteriorated, fungus grew on his skin, and he was forced to pull his own tooth after being denied access to a dentist. A recent settlement with Dona Ana County resulted in Slevin receiving $15.5 million.

    Initially, Slevin was awarded $22 million by a jury, but Dona Ana County appealed. The two parties reached an agreement this week. According to NBC News, Slevin's attorney, Matt Coyte, said his client's "mental health has been severely compromised from the time he was in that facility. That continues to be the same. No amount of money will bring back what they took away from him. But it’s nice to be able to get him some money so he can improve where he is in life and move on."

    During his 22 months in solitary confinement, Slevin developed bedsores and lost 50 pounds. The ordeal began in 2005 when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and stealing a car, which he says he borrowed from a friend. Slevin was never brought before a judge nor was he officially convicted of any crime. He said he wrote letters, begging for help with his depression. The before and after photos show the effect the 22 months of neglect had.

    "Why they did what they did, I'll never know," Slevin told KOB4-TV. "Walking by me, watching me deteriorate day after day after day, and they did nothing at all to get me help."
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    http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...181425242.html



    Damn. Just damn.

    The sad thing is, I can see how that could easily happen:

    - Newly arrested inmate is put in a "temporary" holding cell which doubles as Secured Housing Unit (SHU) in smaller jails;
    - Paperwork doesn't get filed, so he doesn't get into the system and nobody gets notified to move him to a longer-term housing area;
    - Cries for help go unanswered (guards just assume mentally-ill trouble-maker is begging for attention), nobody listens...

    Lucky they at least acknowledged him and fed him, there have been cases where detainees have been left in holding cells for days without food or water before detectives realized their error.
    "That tyranny has all the vices both of democracy and oligarchy is evident. As of oligarchy so of tyranny, the end is wealth; (for by wealth only can the tyrant maintain either his guard or his luxury). Both mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -- Aristotle, Book V, 350 B.C.E

  2. #2
    Senior Member NAPOTS's Avatar

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    The guy sounds like a scumbag, however even scumbags are entitled to;

    No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

    In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

    Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

  3. #3
    Registered User LAGC's Avatar

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    Yup. God bless the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments.

    "That tyranny has all the vices both of democracy and oligarchy is evident. As of oligarchy so of tyranny, the end is wealth; (for by wealth only can the tyrant maintain either his guard or his luxury). Both mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -- Aristotle, Book V, 350 B.C.E

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    Imagine what they could do with prisoners if there wasn't a 2nd ammendment.

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    Team GunsNetwork PLATINUM 10/2012 rci2950's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by 5.56NATO View Post
    Imagine what they could do with prisoners if there wasn't a 2nd ammendment.
    Hopefully we never find out.
    Gunsnet member since 2002
    Salt Water Cowboy - Dolphin 38

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    Senior Member stevelyn's Avatar

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    With a $15 million payday, he'll never have to steal cars again.
    Usually sufferers of paraphilic infantilism are proud of their condition. Kinda like being a liberal. Your mental flaws are there for the entire world to see, and you're damned proud of it. - tank_monkey

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