CHARLESTON, S.C.— Al Cannon Detention Center is facing renewed scrutiny after two more inmates died inside the Charleston County jail, bringing the total to 21 inmate deaths over the past decade. Attorneys representing families of people who died at the detention center say they have not seen enough progress in addressing the deaths and the questions that have followed.
Recent Inmate Deaths and Public Concerns
Among the deaths that have drawn public attention are Jamal Sutherland, who died after being tased multiple times in 2021, and Patricia Sizemore, who died after jumping from a second-story balcony in 2022. The two most recent deaths are Kenneth Samuel and Omar A. Grant. Grant died at a hospital in North Charleston after being found unresponsive at the detention center on Feb. 14. His family’s lawyer is seeking answers about whether proper care was provided before his death.
Calls for Accountability and Systemic Change
The deaths have sparked public outcry, with activists and lawmakers demanding reforms. James B. Moore III, a lawyer representing several families, has raised concerns about the jail’s medical care system. Activist groups, including the Lowcountry Action Committee, are calling for the permanent closure of the facility, stating that its failure to provide adequate care is unacceptable.
