FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The families of four men who recently died after being booked into the Broward County jail are calling for a Justice Department investigation into the jail system. The deaths occurred over a six-week period, prompting family members to demand answers and accountability from Sheriff Gregory Tony.
One inmate was allegedly murdered by another inmate, another died from a reported suicide, and the causes of the other two deaths remain undetermined. Drugs or drug withdrawal are suspected in those cases.
The families of the deceased men expressed their grief and frustration, with one father tearfully expressing his love for his late son, and another family member questioning the circumstances of her brother’s death.
In addition to the emotional toll on the families, there are concerns about the safety and well-being of inmates in the Broward County jail. The Broward public defender and the president of the local NAACP branch have joined forces with the families to demand a thorough investigation into the deaths and the overall conditions in the jail system.
The recent deaths are not isolated incidents. According to the public defender, a total of 21 inmates have died in the jail since 2019, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding those deaths.
The families and their supporters believe that the current system is failing to protect and care for inmates, leading to additional trauma and, in some cases, loss of life. They have called for outside intervention to ensure that the truth about the circumstances of these deaths is uncovered, and accountability is established.
The national president of the NAACP has also called on the US Department of Justice to investigate the situation, emphasizing the need for an impartial inquiry into the deaths and the jail system’s overall practices.
Despite repeated requests for interviews, Sheriff Gregory Tony has declined to comment on the conditions in his jails. The families and their advocates remain resolute in their demand for transparency and swift action to address the issues plaguing the Broward County jail system.