CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Local and state lawmakers are calling for a federal investigation into the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Charleston County Councilman Teddie Pryor, Sr. told News 2 that during a council meeting held Tuesday night, he asked county attorneys to draft a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice.
It comes just days after the December 2022 death of an inmate, 28-year-old D’Angelo Brown, was deemed a homicide by Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
Coroner O’Neal determined the cause of death for Brown was E. Coli EAEC sepsis with septic shock and multiple organ system failure due to gross medical neglect.
Councilman Pryor said Brown was found lying in his own feces and believes the inmate’s treatment at the jail was inhumane.
He is now requesting the Justice Department step in. He wants an independent eye to come in and give the county an assessment of what needs to be done to stop these types of deaths from happening.
“Asking the Justice Department to come in and do an internal investigation on why this young man died, the way he did, and also look at the other deaths that happened in recent years at the Charleston County Detention Center,” he said.
State Representative Marvin Pendarvis told News 2 he is sending his own letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the family of another inmate who died at the jail.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:
“We respect the investigative process and the value of an independent inquiry, which is why we notify SLED of in-custody deaths. It’s also why we requested a SLED investigation into the death of D’Angelo Brown. We have fully cooperated with such investigations and will continue to do so. We have nothing to hide. We welcome factual information rather than rumor and innuendo. We also will hear any concerns expressed to us directly and welcome anyone interested in taking a tour of the facility to do so any Friday morning. Details: https://ccsojobs.com/detention-deputy.php#weeklytours As you know, we began raising concern about the medical care provided at the Detention Center months before Mr. Brown’s death, and we continue to address those concerns in the appropriate manner. Our deputies are sworn to protect the rights of the people they serve. We take that oath seriously, and they will continue to ensure our residents are treated humanely.”
