Husbands' Unexplained death in Menard caused by inhumane conditions.

[MrsIngram]

We got a call Monday June 28, 2010, there was a change in custody. I found out he died and was mortified. His cause of death was unknown. Initial autopsy results showed no cause of death I was told by coroner. Had to wait to find out cause of death. Funeral was on July 17,2010 and thats when we found out that the prison may be responsible for his death. We were infomed that they had no running water in cell and no ventalation in extreme heat. On September 3,2010 was informed by funeral home cause of death was Hyperthermia due to heat exposure. This cofirmed what we were informed of at his funeral and it opened the wounds yet again. All my son does is cry and his four sisters aren't to far behind. I try to stay strong for them but this has torn my family down. We are so distraught and the pain is unreal. It was already very difficult dealing with the incarceration and the circumstances that lead up to it. Now this is just like taking the knife and turning it after it has been jabbed in the back. This did not hae to happen. Isn't a human beings life worth insuring the cells in the prison are at a life sustainig temperature. How may people have to die before something is done. I can only imagine how James suffered before he died. How could noone notice, thats not acceptable. It sickens me thinking about his last suffering day alive, praying to God for mercy and help. How could they let him suffer so, Isn't a human life worth the effort to insure sufficent air to breath. I wish I could of heard his cries or been aware of his suffering. I wasn't able to help then but I plan on giving him a voice now. This is a sensless death that has taking a piece of me and my children with it. Something has to be done.

[KSwife]

Mrs. Ingram~I am so sorry for your loss. There is nothing any of us can say to bring your Husband back, but we will all support you in whatever way possible in your journey to make IDOC pay for such neglect!  This type of treatment should not happen to any of our LO's at Menard!

[mamacita1]

MrsIngram, no words can adequately express how sorry I am for your loss.  I know too well what you are going through, the anger, the hurt, the finality of it all.

Know that whatever you need from us, we will do.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

[chippyn]

I am so sorry for your loss. It was inhumane and completely wrong how he died. In my opinion it was murder. They KNEW that no one could live in extreme heat and no water. They must have walked by and seen he was not ok. Something must be done.you have the support of everyone here.they wont get away with this.god will take care of it.those who should be punished will be punished.i will say a prayer for you and your family tonight..............

[Marks_guy]

My sincere condolences on your loss. Your family will be in my prayers, both for comfort and action against the people who harmed your husband.

[TimeStandsStill]

I am so sorry for your loss.  My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

[lvanrs2]

Your family will be in my prayers.

[AndysAngel]

 

Praying for you and your loved ones.

[Dazzler]

Our deepest condolences to you MrsIngram.  IPT will back you in your fight  against the IDOC.  If there is anything you would like us to do just ask.  Unfortunately we have other members you have lost their LO's in IDOC because of senseless, reckless behavior on the part of IDOC.  I understand that Alan Mills will be representing you.  He's a member here and a good man.  He knows the IDOC inside and out.  I hope he can find some relief and justice for your family.  It just sickens me when I hear these tragedies.  Prison should not be a death sentence in a civilized society.

[HollywoodNeoCon]

Mrs. Ingram, I am profoundly saddened at the news of your husband's death at the hands of the IDOC. I am even more saddened in that it was so utterly unnecessary, and that unless things conditions drastically and immediately, it won't be the last.

For those of us who have had the unfortunate experience of being in the custody of this particular agency, it is a well-known fact that unless an inmate is held in one of the few air-conditioned institutions in Illinois, the hours of 2:00 to 8:00 pm during the summer are almost beyond tolerable. Therefore, I am hardly surprised that IDOC officials are loathe to give an estimate of how hot it must have been in your husband's cell.

Regardless of why our loved ones are in prison, the fact remains that they are human beings and American citizens, and have every right to demand that they be treated as such.

My prayers are with you and your family this evening.

[Schrader42]

Mrs. Ingram, I am so very sorry for your loss.  I wish your family the best and most comforting thoughts during this difficult time.   

[humbird37]

Oh there just aren't words to say how awful this is and so wrong! My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.....just  makes us know it could happen to anyone that is in these places! How do these people treat these inmates like they are less then human and no feelings of any kind?  How does this go on in our country????  Our hands are tied in so many ways, but this treatment has got to be stopped.....what can be done? Humbird

[mmarthapena1]

Mrs. Ingram, I am so sincerely sorry for the loss that you and your children are enduring, there is no reason for it. My l/o always complained about days and nights where the thermometer would never lower 100 degrees. He said it would be so hot that the floors would be drenched with sweat. It always worries me and your senseless loss proves that our l/o's are treated worse than most animals. Where is the common courtesy for humanity? It scares me everyday...

[griz bear]

 
IDOC needs to be dismantles as it currently exists.  This kind of inhumane treatment MUST stop.  Was there any news coverage of this?  Surely there is any ethical journalist out there who would like to expose another senseless death at the hands of the uncaring and unethical staff of IDOC.  I know that there is nothing that will compensate you and yours for this senseless loss, but IDOC needs to pay for this.  Why can't those who were suppose to be ensuring his safety be charged with negligent homicide....where it not for their indifference he would be alive today......they need to be at the mercy of the same system that thought so little of your husband's life...of course if the guards were sentences to prison they would go into protective custody which is I'm sure air conditioned.  You are in my prayers....griz

[IloveDCfrombooneco]

How outrageous, this is. It makes me sick to think of the wrong doings that IDOC does to our lo's, with no repercussions. I would love to stick our better then thou Gov and running mates in that cell for 24 hrs under the same conditions and see what happens. This is a disgrace.
 Mrs Ingram, I am very sorry for your loss, my family will have you and your family in our prayers. God Bless.

[jenplus2]

MrsIngram, I can't even begin to imagine the horror you are going through at this time... please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. Your tragic loss will weigh heavy on all our minds, knowing that it could happen to any of our L/Os. I hope you and your family will find peace. Just maybe, your husbands death will be the beginning of much needed changes in the IDOC. We are all behind you in your fight against IDOC. No amount of money could EVER pay for your loss and suffering, but maybe your fight will shed some light on IDOC's inhumane treatment of our L/Os and maybe, just maybe, prevent another senseless death. Please, if there is ANYTHING we can do to help, just ask... May God help you through this devastating time in you and your families lives.
 

[Nemdf]

Mrs Ingram, I am so sorry for your loss.  My LO was at Menard for most of 20 years, and it was a terrible place to be.  Hoping you have success with legal actions against IDOC and the prison authorities.  I cannot imagine your pain.  Will be praying for strength for you and your children.

[Heart]

My prayers goes out to you family. I am So SORRY for your lost.

[kah2006]

IDOC needs to be dismantles as it currently exists.  This kind of inhumane treatment MUST stop.  Was there any news coverage of this?  Surely there is any ethical journalist out there who would like to expose another senseless death at the hands of the uncaring and unethical staff of IDOC.  I know that there is nothing that will compensate you and yours for this senseless loss, but IDOC needs to pay for this.  Why can't those who were suppose to be ensuring his safety be charged with negligent homicide....where it not for their indifference he would be alive today......they need to be at the mercy of the same system that thought so little of your husband's life...of course if the guards were sentences to prison they would go into protective custody which is I'm sure air conditioned.  You are in my prayers....griz

No, protective custody is not air conditioned.

[me]

I am so sorry for your and your children's loss.  My heart goes out to your family.  I will keep you in my prayers.  I will also be praying for justice for you all as well.