RantCrush Top 5: April 26, 2017

According to prosecutors, a prisoner in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin jail died after being placed in solitary confinement and deprived of water for seven days. Terrill Thomas, 38, was not able to ask for water due to mental health issues. The water was shut off in his cell after he flooded it but was never turned back on, and the officers in charge didn’t document that the water was turned off. The prosecutors alleged that over 20 corrections officers who work at the prison didn’t notice that Thomas was in distress, despite losing 35 pounds during his time in the solitary cell. It’s unclear whether or not anyone at the prison will be charged, but Thomas’ death shows the dark side of solitary confinement and prisoners with mental health issues.

Man who died of thirst inside Sheriff David Clarke’s jail had his water cut off for a week: https://t.co/WvDOoXmlmd

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) April 24, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.