Kalamazoo, MI – A medical emergency that turned fatal at the Kalamazoo County Jail this week coincided with a separate incident where seven inmates were left unattended and roaming inside a transport garage, raising serious concerns over jail protocols and staff oversight.
According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, the incident unfolded Monday, May 12, when inmates were discovered unsecured in the Transport Unit Garage. While none escaped, all were found in handcuffs and ankle shackles, and a van window was reportedly broken. The situation was identified after it was broadcast over public radio channels. At the same time, jail staff were responding to a separate, unrelated medical emergency involving another inmate. Despite life-saving efforts from LIFE EMS and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responders, that inmate was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators interviewed six KCSO staff members on Tuesday. Four have since returned to duty, while two remain on administrative leave pending further review. According to KCSO, seven inmates were interviewed, and one was found to have suffered a minor elbow injury.
In response, Sheriff Richard C. Fuller III and Undersheriff Michelle Greenlee met directly with the inmates involved to apologize and confirm a full investigation is underway. New security protocols were also implemented immediately. All future inmate transports will require unloading in the jail’s receiving garage, not the transport garage, and vans will remain open when unoccupied.
KCSO emphasized that it remains committed to transparency and that this incident “does not represent the work performed here.” The internal investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office or submit anonymous tips via Silent Observer.
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