WARNING: This story contains mention of suicide
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — Over the weekend, four people incarcerated in Coles County Jail attempted suicide, prompting an investigation. Bambi Brunsell, mother of one of them, said this is a result of negligence.
Brunsell said her son, Trevor Clark, has struggled with his mental health following the death of his brother in 2024. Brunsell said this was not Clark's first suicide attempt, as he attempted suicide this time last year, the weekend of his brother's birthday.
When Clark's brother's birthday approached this year, Brunsell reached out to the jail for help.Â
"I contacted Coles County Jail Friday morning to explain all this to them, [ask] to keep a closer eye on him. I found out that he hung himself once again," she said.
During court proceedings, Clark requested release into treatment two separate times. He was denied both times.
"I feel that it is negligence. Four hangings in one weekend? Come on. If they were doing their checks like they were supposed to, they should have caught all these boys." Brunsell said.
The sheriff's office said it is conducting a review of the incidents. Martin confirmed to WAND News that there were three inmates involved in four suicide attempts. Martin confirmed to WAND that the people involved were in separate cell blocks, and the attempts happened at various times over the weekend. When asked how an inmate was able to attempt suicide a second time, Martin said that was part of their investigation.Â
Sheriff Kent Martin said that all inmates have access to mental health services. The sheriff's office said jail staff are also trained to identify and refer people who may need additional support.
Martin said that when an incarcerated person attempts suicide, they are sent to receive care at a medical facility. When they are released back to their custody, they follow standard protocol.Â
"They are returned to our facility, placed in a padded room with a suicide smock," Martin explained.
Brunsell said that it isn't enough.Â
"They don't care about our mental health in there. They throw you in a padded room. No toilet, no nothing. You got to beat on the door just to go to the restroom. They don't care," she said.
However, Martin said they are in full compliance with county jail standards.Â
"Regarding the comments about unsanitary conditions, the expired food, there's absolutely no grain of truth to that," Martin said.
There is a class action lawsuit filed against Coles County Jail where multiple incarcerated people allege inhumane living conditions.Â
The Coles County Sheriff's Office said none of the incarcerated people involved died in the attempts. They were taken to local hospitals and are expected to recover.
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