On Monday, January 23, 2023, WEAR Channel 3 first reported on an inmate death at the Okaloosa County jail over the weekend, marking the fifth inmate death at the facility in the past six months.
In response to the recent string of inmate deaths, Okaloosa’s Chief Correctional Officer, Nolan Weeks, released a statement addressing the issue.
“As the Chief Correctional Officer of the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections, I am deeply saddened by the recent inmate deaths that have occurred within our facility,” said Weeks. “I assure the community that we take these incidents very seriously and follow proper protocol in investigating any and all inmate-related deaths.”
In accordance with proper protocol, Weeks says the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office immediately conducts an independent investigation into the facts surrounding any inmate death. These types of investigations include, but are not limited to, medical issues, narcotics overdoses, suicides, accidental deaths, or any other incident that may cause a death.
“We understand that death investigations can remain in an open status for an extended period of time due to the waiting period for autopsy and toxicology results from the Medical Examiner’s Office,” said Weeks. “It is also important to remember that we are bound by strict HIPPA privacy laws that restrict the dissemination of a person’s medical information. This type of information would be included in any death related to medical issues.”
According to Weeks, the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections is taking appropriate measures to advance internal oversight in medical evaluations. He says the correctional officers and medical staff are highly trained and “truly care about keeping Okaloosa County safe.”
- The facility is also state accredited as an Excelsior Agency, and the medical and mental health department is nationally accredited through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.
In addition to the investigations being conducted, Weeks said the department continues to take and intensify steps to ensure the jail is a safe environment for all inmates and staff. These include regular staff training, implementing new safety protocols, and conducting regular facility and inmate inspections.
“We understand the importance of transparency and quality in these investigations, and we have faith in the abilities of the Sheriff’s investigators to conduct thorough investigations and bring forward accurate findings,” said Weeks. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have passed away and assure them that we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates and staff within our facility.”
12 Responses
One of the worst institutions I’ve ever seen. This facility needs to be investigated
Evidently you have been in several of them, so what’s your reasoning?
5 deaths in 4 months is enough reasoning.
Well my son is there so I hope yall do a REAL HONEST INVESTIGATION NO HALF STEPPING
Were these inmates vaccinated for the Covid-19 virus? Sudden Adult Deaths are happening everywhere.
This is an average of one a month and Nolan says he’s doing all he can. I call BS. It’s time to replace him. Should have happened 4 deaths ago. Come on upper brass.. Do your job too…
Before we all go looking for a pound of flesh a few questions: What is the cause of death in each case? Based on cause, was the facility at fault for not following any presently prescribed procedures for mitigation? Is there any video evidence related to the cause of death that shines light on facility employees response to the deaths?
There is an epidemic of fentanyl overdoses across the country in state and federal prisons , they are having it mailed to them in letters impregnated on paper , using drones to fly over fences with outside assistance and its a constant battle to keep drugs out of the prison system , I live in Illinois but we just had several state correctional employees and inmates hospitalised due to a substance thought to be fentanyl that was distributed through the heating ventilation system . So before we all start pointing fingers at the admin lets find out what the cause of deaths are from before starting to bash one side or the other.
Please. Y’all know you don’t “inspect the inmates”. Shut it down.
It’s crazy because so many in a short period. Really if you look at the dates. They say 6 months but there really has been like 4 in the period of a month so that leads me to believe maybe drug overdoses. But the news makes it sound like not a big deal 6 months but when you look at the dates it comes out to about 4 of them alone were in the past 30 or so days.
Where can you find out when they were the dates as nd male or females as anyone know. My heart goes out to the families involved and I pray that the Lord will give them peace and that he do his will as to what or who is going to be accountable for them Amen may they RIP
my son died there oct 19 2022 he hung himself he was begging for help this is the worst place to be for your loved ones . I wouldn’t wish my nightmare on any parents