$650,000 Settlement in Prisoner’s Preventable Death at CCA Prison

by David Reutter

Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) paid $650,000 to settle a matter involving the death of a prisoner at the Metro-Davidson County Detention Center (MDCDC).

In a September 20, 2006 demand letter sent to CCA by the Sloss family attorney, Luther Wright, Jr., Wright stated that the December 2, 2005 death of prisoner Carlton D. Sloss was “both unnecessary and preventable,” had Sloss been given “appropriate medical care.”

Sloss’ medical records revealed no prior life threatening injuries or medical issues when he reported to MDCDC’s medical staff at 5:25 a.m. on December 1, 2005, with “difficulty breathing and [his] throat closing.” At this time, he was placed in an observation cell. Three hours later, he was given an asthma treatment.

At 9:26 a.m., Sloss became agitated and stated that he could not breathe. Dr. C. Arthur gave Sloss dexamethasone and Benadryl. Medical staff then noted swelling, but attributed it to an anaphylactic reaction. At 9:33 a.m., Sloss was suctioned and the expectorated mucous was red from blood.

A minute later, he was bagged and placed on 100% oxygen, but he was unresponsive and could not follow commands. Staff then called 911 and EMS arrived 12 minutes later. Upon their arrival, EMS personnel attempted to intubate and administer intravenous therapy.

Sloss remained unresponsive and was placed on life support. On December 2, 2005, Sloss was taken off of life support and subsequently died. His death was caused by “an upper airway obstruction due to swelling of the epiglottis[,]…a result of a peri-epiglottic abscess and cellulitis. “Simple antibiotics and clearing [of] the airway may have saved Sloss’ life,” wrote Wright.

CCA wasted no time in reaching the November 20, 2006 settlement, obtained by PLN through a public records request.

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