Terrill Thomas

Terrill Thomas was a 38-year-old man with bipolar disorder and other medical conditions. He was arrested on April 15, 2016 amid a mental health crisis, according to a lawsuit filed by his estate. At the Milwaukee County Jail, Thomas reported a history of diabetes and high blood pressure during an initial health screening. The jail also received information from the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division that Thomas had bipolar disorder and had been prescribed medication by a psychiatrist, but jail staff jail staff ‘failed to provide him with any treatment” and Thomas “never saw a psychiatrist or psychologist” during his incarceration, according to the lawsuit. On April 17, Thomas flooded his cell by overflowing his toilet with torn pieces of his mattress. He was ordered to the segregation unit. Jail staff removed the mattress from his cell and turned off his water. For food, he was given “nutraloaf,” a blend of bland ingredients baked into a dry loaf, according to the lawsuit. Given Thomas’s diabetes, failure to provide him “an appropriate diet and water put him at substantial risk of serious harm,” according to the lawsuit. From April 17 until his death on April 24, Thomas was locked in his cell, according to the lawsuit. Other incarcerated people repeatedly raised concerns to jail staff that Thomas needed water and a higher level of care, according to the lawsuit. On April 24, Thomas was found dead. A medical examiner determined that Thomas had lost 34 pounds during his eight days in custody, concluded that he had died of “profound dehydration” and classified his death as a homicide.

Seven correctional officers were initially charged with wrongdoing as a result of Thomas’s death; ultimately three reached plea deals. The family settled a lawsuit for $6.75 million.

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