Deaths in Montgomery County Jail prompt coalition to call for state investigation

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF) – The Montgomery County Jail Coalition made its opinion clear at the County Commission meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting came after seven people died in prison last year. The individual stories of those who lost their lives in prison were read out at the meeting.

Caitlin Miner is a former colleague and friend of Isaiah Trammel, a 19-year-old who died in March 2023 following an incident in the Montgomery County Jail.

There is a video showing Trammel repeatedly banging his head against the wall of his cell before officers restrained him. He later died in hospital from blunt force trauma.

Family members said Trammel had autism and was visibly distressed.

County commissioners say the video is difficult to watch, but the Montgomery County Jail Coalition says more needs to be done.

The organization is calling for a comprehensive investigation by a state agency to determine why so many people are losing their lives in Montgomery County detention.

The commission says it is not responsible for prison operations, which is why the coalition sent a petition this week to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction asking it to intervene.

The coalition is still waiting to hear whether the state will take action.