Video footage contradicts County's version of the death of mentally ill inmate in SLO jail

(Image: SLO Tribune)

"After releasing an inmate who'd been bound naked in a restraint chair for 46 hours, sheriff's deputies at the San Luis Obispo County Jail watched as the man writhed on the floor, lost consciousness and later died, video obtained by The Tribune shows."

"The video from that day shows deputies watching from outside the cell as Holland writhes on the floor, struggles to breathe and loses consciousness. Some deputies are captured laughing at several points throughout the footage."

"In July, Holland’s family was awarded a $5 million settlement from the county, which it is using to form a nonprofit to advocate for the mentally ill caught in the criminal justice system."

Read full story at:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/investigations/article205363229.html

"The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office released a statement Saturday afternoon after a video was published showing the final moments of San Luis Obispo County Jail inmate's life.

 The video, obtained by the San Luis Obispo Tribune, purportedly shows Andrew Holland, a schizophrenic, harming himself.

He's then restrained naked in a chair for 46 hours before being let out and moved to another cell. Within minutes of being untied, Holland appears to lose consciousness and dies."

Read full story at: http://www.ksby.com/story/37749481/slo-county-sheriff-releases-statement-on-andrew-hollands-death

Part of SLO Sheriff's statement:

Human life is precious. Jail regulations are intended to protect both inmates and staff from harm and injury. The Andrew Holland case was no exception.

 As a matter of record, on January 20, 2017 (a Friday), Andrew Holland was serving a 2-year sentence at the County Jail for a crime of violence.   Mr. Holland had a long history of violence and mental illness.  He had voluntarily stopped  taking  his  medication.

Medical  and  jail  staff  observed  Holland repeatedly striking himself with his fists and had bloodied his face. The Sheriff’s Office contacted County Mental Health multiple times requesting that Mr. Holland be transferred to the Mental Health facility for treatment.

The Mental Health Department refused to accept him, claiming that they were at “capacity.” It was later determined that their claim was untrue and Mental Health could have taken custody of Mr. Holland for treatment.

From Alexa Bertola KSBY (posted today):

Activists about to enter hour 24.

It’s all to call attention to the Andrew Holland case. An Atascadero man who died after sitting in a restraint chair at the county jail for 46 hours back in January of 2017. Video of his death recently surfaced and in response activists decided to sit in a chair outside the courthouse for 46 hours.
 Tomorrow at 11 they will hold a rally to mark hour 46.

Update 3:20 p.m.) - KSBY received this statement from District Attorney Dan Dow:

"It is the long-standing county legal policy for every jail death to be investigated by Sheriff Coroner detectives, not the District Attorney’s office.  However, in April of 2017, at the request of Sheriff Parkinson, my office conducted an investigation into the April 13th death of Mr. Kevin McLaughlin, and the FBI launched an investigation into the death of Mr. Holland. Since the FBI currently has asserted federal jurisdiction over the Holland case and is conducting an active investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the details of this case. 

The loss of Andrew Holland is tragic. No parent should ever have to bury their child, at any age, for any reason.  The County has taken important measures to better serve inmates with mental illness.  The Sheriff established a mental health task force and the Board of Supervisors has now finally transferred to the Sheriff the supervision of all medical and mental health staff in the jail. It is my sincere desire that we continue to improve our jail system so that other families do not have to go through the heartache of losing a loved one while in the county’s custody."