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Tragically, another inmate from Ely State Prison has been declared deceased at only 39 years old. According to reports, Michael Thompson was pronounced deceased at the prison on September 15th.
He was currently serving out a 30-year-to-life sentence with the possibility of parole after being convicted of both first-degree and second-degree murder.
This recent death comes on the heels of a long history of complaints over the facility. Over the years, Ely State Prison has been accused of putting inmates’ health and safety at risk by neglecting the units and inmates.
Thompson stood out as an inmate at Prison despite having only stayed there for a few years. According to past media reports, Thompson may have been involved in a food strike that lasted an entire month and involved a massive group of 39 inmates. These protests were launched after the inmates expressed they were unhappy with the terms of their confinement and food portions.
The group hoped to end the use of solitary confinement, stop widespread lockdowns, and prevent the staff from punishing entire groups of inmates for the actions of individuals. Among the complaints were also the use of excessive force by staff. Prisoners also wanted the outside world to notice the hunger strike and help resolve important health and safety issues like extensive mold throughout the units, rodent infestations, and a lack of heating and air conditioning.
Officials have ordered an official autopsy to be performed to comply with state law.
While prisoners are incarcerated for a reason, that doesn’t mean that they lose all of their rights when they get locked up. According to established court precedents, prisoners retain fundamental Constitutional rights when they are accused and/or convicted of crimes. Among those rights are the right to adequate medical care, the right to due process under the law, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to freely practice their religion.
Specifically, under the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, prisoners have the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, which includes the right to be free from violence and harmful living conditions.
Inmates have a right to bring up health and safety concerns and receive a reasonable response. If you feel like your civil rights are being violated as an inmate, then it’s critical that you get in touch with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
Here at LV Criminal Defense, our team of experienced, compassionate, and dedicated attorneys can help you determine your best options moving forward. If we think your rights are violated, then we will pursue proper recourse under the law.
Schedule a free call with our lawyers now by leaving your contact details on our online form or calling us directly at (702) 623-6362. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you make an informed decision on how to handle your legal situation.
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