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. 
 

[Still love my son]

 

Thinking of you and your family, May you each be blessed with memories you can hold in your heart for a life time.

So sorry for your loss and pain...One day at a time is my daily prayer for you.
Be Blessed
          

[codyandbecca]

I am truly sorry to hear the loss of your husband.... This is so horrible and there is no explanation except ignorance to human lives... My prayers are with you and your family in this time of need...

[Forever and a Day]

Mrs Ingram and family, I am so truly sorry for your loss. You have my most heartfelt sympathy and I find myself at a loss for words.  What has happened is completely and utterly not acceptable, and the IDOC needs to be held accountable for their actions.

[pats]

I read your letter telling us of your son's death in Menard and cried.  Just as I am sure all family members of loved ones in Menard felt like doing.  No one can understand your grief like us.  Not knowing how our loved ones are doing because they do not have access to phones is so extremely hard.  It is a fear we all have that something could be wrong and we would  not know it.  The story of your son's tragic death is the worst scenario.  I was thinking that the inmates being in a cell with no air circulating or cold water is like being in a concentration camp.  This is Illinois and not Japan during World War II.  I would most definitely be writing to all the papers I could.  Include the St. Louis papers and the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times also.  Somewhere a reporter has to be horrified and write about the horrible story of your son's death.  It is one thing to have no air-conditioning but it is totally another thing not to have fans, running water and ice being delivered a few times a day.  I will pray for you and your family that  God helps you get through this.

[Margie217]

I am so sorry for your loss.  I know there are no words that can take away the pain, but please know that you and your family are in my prayers.  God bless you all and give you strength.

[BlueMist]

 :wc17:Mrs Ingram  and family I.am so sorry for your lost .I have been through it, my son died of medical neglect also he die in prison because they  did not give him his meds because they were on a budget  and used low grade medicine which was 4 years ago,.,.So i know what you are going through you have my sincere condolence's Gods Blessing on you and your,s

                                   As Always BlueMist

[Lissa]

MrsIngram
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I will send you all some positive energy.

[Susan]

Mrs. Ingram, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in your friends, your faith, and your family.

[MrsIngram]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and sympathy. My Family and I really appreciate it. May God Bless you all.

[jlnjy]

Mrs Ingram

No words can express so I pray my deepest sympathy reaches you and your family for your loss.

[HisGirl]

Mrs. Ingram:

I write this with tears in my eyes, while I pray that somehow you and your family will get through this, and I also pray that God judges this evil situation. I hope that you are successful in your attempts to hold those responsible accountable, even though your husband cannot be brought back, and for this I am so sorry. let justice be done in this matter.

This is so very wrong.  

[Robert Manor]

Mrs. Ingram,
My name is Robert Manor and I am the Prison & Jail Monitor at the John Howard Association. Could you please call me at 312 503 6302.