Chicago, Illinois – More than a year after his untimely death in Cook County Jail, the family of Daniel Colon is still reeling from the tragic loss. Colon, a 28-year-old man arrested for a warrant from four years ago, died less than 24 hours after being taken into custody. His death sheds light on the troubling conditions and lack of supervision that have plagued the facility, leading to a record number of deaths in 2023.
The circumstances surrounding Colon’s death reveal a series of alarming events. After being arrested for heroin possession, Colon was taken to the 9th District police station and then to bond court, where he was held with no bail set. He never made it back to court, as he passed away in the jail less than a day later. Surveillance footage showed Colon in distress, spending hours in the bathroom before eventually succumbing to his condition.
Colon’s tragic death is just one of many that have occurred at the Cook County Jail in recent years. A total of 18 people died while incarcerated in 2023, marking the highest mortality rate since at least 1995. An investigation into these deaths revealed a disturbing pattern of inadequate supervision and medical care, with almost all cases going unpunished.
Sheriff Tom Dart, who oversees the jail, has come under scrutiny for failing to address the issues that have led to these deaths. Despite internal reviews and external investigations, little has been done to hold accountable those responsible for the lack of oversight. Dart’s office has been criticized for its lack of transparency and failure to provide families with answers about their loved ones’ deaths.
In response to the mounting concerns, experts are calling for independent oversight of the jail to ensure that these tragedies do not continue. Michele Deitch, a national expert on correctional oversight, emphasized the need for a dedicated body to monitor the jail, investigate deaths, and provide regular updates to the public and families of detainees.
As families continue to grapple with the loss of their loved ones, the lack of transparency and accountability in Cook County Jail raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of those in custody. The ongoing scrutiny of the sheriff’s office and calls for independent oversight underscore the urgent need for reform in the facility to prevent further tragedies like Daniel Colon’s death.