JAIL & PRISON INJURY & DEATH

TALK TO THE LAWYERS OF Kyle J. White Law Firm. OUR LAWYERS CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A FAIR ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CLAIM.

── Wrongful Death and Injury to those in our South Carolina Jail and Prison Systems

People who are charged with or convicted and sentenced to jail time obviously forfeit many of their civil rights, including their absolute freedom of movement. However, they do not need to give up their right to personal safety, and the law requires that jail and prison systems protect their physical and mental well-being to a reasonable degree. Most importantly, the U.S. Constitution guarantees incarcerated pretrial detainees the right to be free from any punishment and ensures that convicted individuals are not subjected to “cruel and unusual punishment.”

This means that no American prisoner should face excessive force, deliberate indifference to harm, or other forms of blatant abuse. Prisoners also have the right to receive treatment for serious medical conditions and to live free from violence. Kyle J. White Law Firm is committed to protecting these rights and holding institutions accountable when they fail to uphold them.

── Problems That Commonly Lead to Injury & Death Among Prisoners

Although it may come as a surprise to some, most people are quite aware that the inmate rights outlined above are simply not a reality in many American penal institutions. Over the years, civil rights and personal injury attorneys have represented countless prisoners who have suffered inhumane and illegal forms of abuse and neglect.

Many instances of prisoner abuse and neglect are perpetrated by other incarcerated individuals. Other times, the very prison guards and officials who are tasked with looking after the incarcerated and ensuring their safety are, unfortunately, responsible for harming them or otherwise violating their basic civil or human rights—often under the guise of enforcing discipline or maintaining order.

Whether the perpetrators are prison workers or fellow inmates, the list of potentially life-threatening perils for incarcerated individuals is long, to say the least. Although it is far from exhaustive, the following list highlights just a few of the patently illegal dangers that many prisoners face on a daily basis:

Subjection to excessive physical violence that may result in conditions ranging from blunt force trauma to asphyxiation
Sexual assault and rape
Denial of medical care
Denial of adequate food and water
Denial of adequate sleep
Indifference to suicidal ideation

At Kyle J. White Law Firm, we are committed to holding responsible parties accountable and fighting for the rights of those who have suffered unjust treatment while incarcerated. If you or a loved one has been a victim of prisoner abuse or neglect, contact us to discuss your legal options.

── Legally Guaranteed Rights of Inmates

Of course, incarcerated people must deal with many conditions that are disadvantaged and uncomfortable. After all, just punishment is an integral part of the penal system, both within the United States and elsewhere. While prisoners must sometimes cope with tight quarters, inferior food, and dozens of other “less than ideal” conditions, these issues often do NOT provide sufficient grounds for lawsuits.

However, incarcerated people certainly DO have the right to live under humane conditions. They also have the right to…

Protection against excessive force and violence
Protection against sexual assault and rape
Protection against unnecessary endangerment
Protection against physical and psychological torture
Access to adequate physical and mental healthcare
Access to adequate food and water

Furthermore, all incarcerated individuals have the right to complain about or otherwise draw attention to the specific conditions of their incarceration via the facility’s grievance system. Charged with protecting the rights of the prisoners under their supervision, prison workers and officials who deny these rights or otherwise neglect their essential caretaking duties can be criminally prosecuted or sued for damages through the US legal system.

── For More Information

Contact the Kyle J. White Law Firm today if you or someone you love has suffered from unjust treatment while incarcerated in a U.S. penal institution. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the essential legal rights of individuals in prison or jail.

Prisons located in South Carolina include:

Allendale Correctional Institution (Fairfax, SC)
Broad River Correctional Institution (Columbia, SC)
Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution (Columbia, SC)
Evans Correctional Institution (Bennettsville, SC)
Goodman Correctional Institution (Columbia, SC)
Kershaw Correctional Institution and Reentry Center (Kershaw, SC)
Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center (Columbia, SC)
Leath Correctional Institution (Greenwood, SC)
Lee Correctional Institution (Bishopville, SC)
Lieber Correctional Institution and Reentry Center (Ridgeville, SC)
Livesay Correctional Institution (Spartanburg, SC)
MacDougall Correctional Institution (Ridgeville, SC)
Manning Reentry/Work Release Center (Columbia, SC)
McCormick Correctional Institution (McCormick, SC)
Palmer Correctional Institution (Florence, SC)
Perry Correctional Institution (Pelzer, SC)
Ridgeland Correctional Institution (Ridgeland, SC)
Trenton Correctional Institution (Trenton, SC)
Turbeville Correctional Institution (Trenton, SC)
Tyger River Correctional Institution (Enoree, SC)
Wateree River Correctional Institution (Rembert, SC)

Source: South Carolina Department of Corrections

As part of our comprehensive criminal defense, personal injury, and civil litigation practice, our legal team of six attorneys draws upon roughly 80 years of combined experience to address a wide range of cases related to prison injury and wrongful death.

Headquartered in Anderson, South Carolina, we proudly serve clients in:

Allendale, SC
Winnsboro, SC
Ridgeland, SC
Hampton, SC
Chesterfield, SC
Clarendon, SC
Williamsburg, SC
Dillon, SC
Marion, SC
Bishopville, SC
Darlington, SC
Columbia, SC
Rock Hill, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Greenville, SC
Spartanburg, SC
Greenwood, SC

At the Kyle J. White Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for justice and doing everything in our power to protect your rights.

REQUEST YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY

WE ARE HERE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO HELP YOU. TELL US HOW WE CAN HELP.

*Civil consultations are free.