UPDATE: Families of two inmates who died in San Diego jails have filed urgent civil rights lawsuits, claiming systemic negligence by the Sheriff’s Office and its medical contractors led to their tragic deaths. The lawsuits target the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Callen Lines and Corey Dean, highlighting dire failures in mental and medical care.
Both lawsuits, filed last week, accuse jail staff of ignoring repeated cries for help from the deceased. Lines, a 31-year-old nursing assistant, died from drug withdrawal at the Las Colinas Jail in May 2023, just one day after her arrest. Dean, aged 43, who suffered from schizophrenia, passed away in the Vista Jail two months later after enduring solitary confinement.
The severity of these claims is underscored by the families’ allegations that both inmates received inadequate medical attention, despite their known health issues. Lines’ family asserts that she was in withdrawal after struggling with substance use and had previously suffered a seizure related to withdrawal just two weeks before her death. During intake at the jail, she disclosed her medical history, yet the lawsuit claims she received no appropriate monitoring or medication.
Witness accounts reveal a harrowing picture of neglect. Lines reportedly pressed the intercom repeatedly, pleading for help while stating she was having trouble breathing. According to her cellmate, deputies dismissed her cries, telling her to sit down. Tragically, when staff finally checked on her, Lines was found unresponsive, described as “completely blue and purple.”
The lawsuit highlights that these systemic issues are not new. It references prior warnings from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and previous incidents of untreated withdrawal within the facility, including the deaths of other inmates in recent years. For instance, the family of Elisa Serna received a $14 million settlement after her death in custody in 2019.
In a parallel lawsuit, Dean’s family claims that the jail was aware of his mental health conditions yet failed to provide necessary assessments. The lawsuit states that he was placed into the general population without appropriate psychiatric evaluation, leading to further distress. Dean reportedly pleaded for help, even resorting to flooding his cell to attract attention—but his cries went unanswered.
The conditions Dean faced were alarming. Reports indicate he was subjected to severe neglect, with clinicians noting bizarre behaviors and a lack of basic hygiene. Despite recommendations for his transfer to a mental health unit, no beds were available, forcing him into administrative separation—a form of solitary confinement. His family claims this placement was retaliatory, exacerbating his mental health crisis.
The grim reality of these situations paints a broader picture of ongoing issues within the San Diego jail system. In 2022 alone, 19 inmates died in custody, with many more suffering from inadequate medical care. The families argue that the county has been aware of these serious issues yet has failed to implement meaningful reforms.
A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the pending litigation but noted ongoing efforts to improve conditions within the jails. Sheriff Kelly Martinez has publicly committed to reducing inmate deaths and enhancing health care services.
As the lawsuits unfold, attention will be closely monitored on the county’s response and any potential changes to policy or oversight that may result from these tragic deaths. The families seek accountability and hope their actions will lead to much-needed reforms in the system.
The implications of these cases extend beyond the individuals involved, raising urgent questions about the treatment of inmates and the responsibilities of correctional facilities to ensure their health and safety.
