Illinois Inmate Death Highlights Need for Medical Detox

Reports of a recent death in a Woodford County, Illinois jail are renewing urgent calls for access to medical alcohol detox in U.S. jails and prisons.

It all started with an impaired driving incident and culminated in an unnecessary and potentially preventable death. A lawsuit filed against County officials and a correctional healthcare provider highlights the life threatening risks of untreated alcohol withdrawal syndrome in correctional facilities and detention centers.

A Family’s Grief

30-year-old Blake T Lee was sentenced in October 2021 to 30 days in Illinois’ Woodford County Jail under a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the complaint filed by Lee’s family, his father warned jail staff upon booking that his son suffered from severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) and that he would require detoxification under medical supervision while incarcerated.

Despite these warnings, allegations state that this information apparently was not relayed to the penitentiary staff, and Lee was placed with the general population and without any type of medical monitoring.

The Downward Spiral of a Prisoner in Alcohol Withdrawal

Within a day of Lee’s incarceration, he began exhibiting classic and dangerous symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal, a medical condition that requires close monitoring. In many cases, it may require medication assisted treatment.

Correctional officers found him behaving erratically. Lee threw himself against the walls, sweated profusely, with blood coming out of his mouth, while shaking in what appeared to be a seizure. 

Based on these withdrawal symptoms and under the recommendation of an Advanced Correctional Healthcare physician, Lee was placed in a detoxification isolation cell.

Lee’s condition rapidly deteriorated in isolation. Witnesses’ accounts tell the story of a man potentially in a delirium state, as he was observed talking to an imaginary companion and appeared to be confused about where he was. 

On the third day of isolation, Lee was found unresponsive on his cell floor and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent care. Nevertheless, it was too late. Lee died the following day. An autopsy confirmed that his death was caused by hypoxic and metabolic encephalopathy, a consequence of untreated alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

The Critical Need for Medical Detox in Jails and Prisons

While Lee’s family lawsuit is ongoing, and the ultimate responsibilities for his death are still to be defined by a court of law, one thing is clear. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal without proper medical detoxification.

A person’s brain shifts after prolonged alcohol consumption, and abruptly stopping its use can lead to devastating consequences, as Lee’s family is experiencing.

Experts stress that all individuals entering custody should be screened for alcohol dependence and withdrawal risk with immediate access to medically managed detox when needed. Isolation without clinical oversight is not a substitute for detox care.

Find Alcohol Detox Near You

If you or someone you love is struggling with heavy drinking, it’s critical to seek help before withdrawal becomes a medical emergency. Professional alcohol detox programs provide 24/7 monitoring, medications to reduce withdrawal severity and a safer path to recovery.

Explore medically supervised alcohol detox centers near you, including inpatient and ambulatory withdrawal management programs.

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