Inmates and all those who are in the custody of law enforcement or corrections officials have rights, too. Even if someone confesses to committing a crime, that doesn't mean that he is fair game for anyone to physically harm him. When an inmate dies in a Maricopa County facility, it is something that the entire community needs to take seriously.

One family of a man who was in custody in 2007 for a DUI probation violation did take the responsibility of Maricopa County officials seriously. Their loved one died while in custody, and they sued the county for wrongful death. This week, the parties settled the lawsuit, with the county agreeing to pay the family a reported $1 million for their loss.

According to The Arizona Republic, the inmate died after a serious altercation with various county workers at the Sheriff's Office. County officials claim that they used various physical tactics to restrain the inmate because he was acting out. They say that they didn't use excessive force. But that story didn't add up to enough in order to stop the victim's family from suing and the county from agreeing to a settlement.

This story and stories like it hit a nerve because, to be honest, just about anyone could wind up in custody due to something as common as an alleged DUI. If we or a loved one were to end up in the custody of county officials, we shouldn't have to worry about our safety at the hands of workers who are meant to create a safer community.

Source

The Arizona Republic: "County set to pay $1 million over death in Arpaio jail," Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Nov. 17, 2011