Location: Illinois
Hi all,
I’m seeking legal advice about a deeply traumatic experience I had in 2022 while detained in Macon County Jail, Illinois. I was booked on a non-violent Class 3 felony (Theft <$500). I spent what should have been ~30 days in jail, but my booking/release paperwork oddly spans from March 20 to May 6, 2022.
Here’s what happened:
I was transferred to suicide watch shortly after booking.
For 7 days, I was held completely naked in a disgusting cell, with no bedding, no soap, no toilet paper, and no food or water for at least 3 days.
COs passed by every 15 minutes as required — I heard them mock me, laugh at me, and even one said, “I am poking you,” after I accused them of intentionally antagonizing me.
One officer even said, as a nurse was trying to draw my blood through the door slot, “This motherfucker wants war.”
I hallucinated due to sleep deprivation, dehydration, and isolation. I hadn’t eaten or drank anything, and I lost touch with time completely.
I never received information on how to file a grievance or seek help.
I submitted a FOIA request — they said food/water logs “don’t exist,” video footage is withheld for “security,” and no emails were found.
I’ve drafted a federal civil rights complaint (42 USC § 1983) alleging Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment violations, and I’ve started seeking representation. But I’m terrified of retaliation or being ignored. I already sent a formal demand and FOIA appeal.
Questions:
Do I have a viable civil rights case based on the facts?
How much will the lack of internal logs or footage hurt my case?
What can I do to strengthen my claim with the documents I was able to obtain?
Can I sue both the jail and the hospital that called the cops on me while I was there voluntarily for mental health treatment?
Any insight — especially from lawyers or people with similar experience — would help me navigate this and get the justice I deserve.
Thank you.
Comments
You are free to speak to some attorneys that handle these cases. But it’s very possible that you’ve blown a two year statute of limitations.
Dating back to 22 there isn’t going to be video footage for sure.
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That is actually heinous, and I’m so sorry you went through that.
I sincerely hope you find some justice, and peace.
I don’t mean to be rude, but based on your claims, I would recommend that you see a psychiatrist for evaluation to ensure that you don’t have any conditions that might undermine your credibility, and therefore your possible case. (Three days of no water would have put you on death’s doorstep, requiring emergency medical care at a hospital to save your life…)
Once that’s cleared up, you can reach out to a civil rights legal organization like ACLU for help. Civil rights lawyers sometimes work pro bono or on contingency for cases like these if you don’t have the funds for a drawn out legal battle, which most people don’t.
A lot of things would be recorded or not depending on state laws and policies governing them.
I would do another FOIA request asking for the following
All emails from this institution or from any emails ending in .whatever.gov they use there including or referring to (last name, first name) regarding anything to do with incarceration, sentence, length of stay, mental health evaluations, suicide or suicide watch. The shifts, days off, etc of every officer that worked in that area from date-date and their direct supervisor. Ask for whoever is in charge of that particular unit suicide watches take place in as well (can be different people, officers on overtime etc.)
Also look up county/state policies regarding every little thing that occurred to you. Chances are they were lazy and skipped steps, but it’s up to you to figure that out.