A new autopsy report revealed that heat stress was a “significant contributing condition” in the death of Michael Broadway, who died while incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center earlier this summer.
The days leading up to Broadway’s death were some of the hottest in June. Not a single window was open, everything for ventilation purposes in the area of their cells was either closed or locked, and in front of his cell, there was a padlocked exhaust fan, according to a friend whose cell was near Broadway’s.
On June 19, Broadway, who had severe asthma, began struggling to breathe, the family’s lawyer said. While he was still physically able to, Broadway and friends called correctional officers for help. A med-tech told the staff that “it’s too hot, I’m not going up there, tell him to come down here,” and walked back outside, an affidavit states.
“If correctional staff had responded appropriately and initiated an emergency medical response, and if Wexford (Health Sources) staff had responded with urgency and provided adequate care, then Michael would still be alive,” said Broadway’s family’s lawyer.
The family plans to file suit over the death, but has not done so yet.
A bit more background: Brandis Friedman and I have been following this story since Broadway died in June. Brandis came to know Broadway through her coverage of the Northwestern Prison Education Program, where he was a graduate.
Broadway was a self-described “regular student,” but had ambitions exceeding that framing, one of them being publishing a second book. His first, “One Foot In,” was published while he was incarcerated last year.
His death came just months before those incarcerated at Stateville are set to be transferred out of the prison. On Aug. 12, a federal judge ordered that most of the facility’s prison population needs to be transferred by Sept. 30. — Blair Paddock
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