CHICAGO, IL – Just a day before his tragic passing, Daniel Colon found himself in bond court, pleading for answers. Arrested by Chicago police following a warrant from four years prior, Colon’s fate seemed sealed. Despite his inquiries into the reasons for his sudden arrest, cryptic responses left him puzzled. The young man, known to ask for spare change on the exit ramp off the Dan Ryan Expressway, faced the harsh reality of missing a court appearance in 2018 for heroin possession – a mistake that led to his incarceration.
Upon arriving at the 9th District police station in Bridgeport, Colon’s deteriorating health became evident – his swollen wrists struggling to fit into handcuffs. The subsequent journey to Cook County Jail, where he disclosed his severe heroin addiction to medical staff, proved fatal. Placed in detox housing, Colon tragically passed away less than 24 hours later.
Surveillance footage from the jail detailed the heartbreaking final moments of Colon’s life. Despite requirements for regular monitoring of detainees every 30 minutes, the lack of oversight and medical care was apparent. It took an alarming 35 minutes for anyone to notice Colon in distress, too late for any life-saving intervention to be made.
Tragically, Colon’s story is not an exception; a deep dive by Injustice Watch into deaths at Cook County Jail in 2023 revealed a disturbing lack of supervision and medical care behind many of the fatalities. The highest mortality rate at the jail in nearly a decade underscored systemic issues that have largely gone unchecked.
Sheriff Tom Dart, in charge of the jail for close to two decades, faced criticism for failing to provide adequate transparency and accountability in the wake of these tragedies. Despite internal and external investigations following each death, the lack of tangible repercussions echoed the systemic failures within the jail’s operations.
As families continue to grapple with the loss of their loved ones, calls for independent oversight of the jail grow louder. Experts emphasize the urgent need for external monitoring to address fundamental issues plaguing the institution, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals in custody.
The devastating details of deaths at Cook County Jail shed light on a broken system in dire need of reform. While investigations and reviews are underway, the lack of concrete action and accountability leaves families like Colon’s grappling with unanswered questions and unmet justice – a glaring reminder of the urgent need for change in the criminal justice system.