Group wants jail investigation
Sheriff’s resignation also being sought
A citizens group concerned about recent deaths at the Milwaukee County Jail demanded a federal investigation and the resignation of Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. at his office Friday.
About 50 people, most of them affiliated with the loosely associated advocacy group Progressive Moms of Milwaukee, left symbolic diapers and a few stuffed animals at a front desk in Clarke’s office — a reference to the July death of a newborn, whose mother gave birth in her cell without anybody noticing.
Four people have died at the jail since April. They include inmate Terrill Thomas, whose cause of death was “profound dehydration,” according to the medical examiner’s office. Investigations into the four deaths are ongoing, and authorities haven’t said whether jail or medical staff contributed to any of the deaths.
Andrea Rodriguez-Strock, who delivered the demand letter to a Sheriff’s Office employee, said Clarke has negated his responsibilities and improperly left the public in the dark about the jail deaths.
“He’s not representing our city right now, our county right now. He’s out doing national things,” said Rodriguez-Strock, referencing Clarke’s frequent travel for events and television news appearances. “We prefer him here to do his job. Otherwise, we want him to resign. We want him to actually be the people’s sheriff.”
In a Facebook post Friday afternoon, Clarke said the group “has no knowledge of what is even involved here” and criticized it for not making a public demonstration after the homicides of three people late Wednesday and early Thursies, Clarke, who runs for office as a Democrat but supports Republicans and conservative causes, called the group’s demands “politically motivated” in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.
“The Progressive Moms’ time would be better spent demonstrating in front of abortion clinics that kill babies every day,” Clarke said.
Clarke did not make extensive comments about the jail deaths until this week, when he guest-hosted the Jay Weber Show, a local conservative radio broadcast, and spoke with Wisconsin Watchdog, a conservative website.
On the radio, Clarke bashed a request for his resignation made by Milwaukee County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde. Clarke dismissed Moore Omokunde’s stance in large part due to the supervisor’s conviction in 2004 on charges that he slashed tires on vans meant to help get Republican voters to the polls. Clarke said “the only thing wrong with the Milwaukee County Jail” is that Moore Omokunde isn’t in it.
In the interview with Wisconsin Watchdog, Clarke did not directly say whether he believes his officers played a role in any of the deaths. He did note that two inmates who died, Kristina Fiebrink and Michael Madden, had criminal historday. medical issues prior to their incarceration and histories of drug use. The medical examiner’s office has not confirmed the causes of their deaths.
“If there is a shortcoming here, people have to direct these questions at the medical staff,” Clarke told Wisconsin Watchdog.
Clarke’s office and the county, which runs the House of Correction, contract with private provider Armor Correctional Health Services for inmate medical care. Jail staff, however, are responsible for regular monitoring of inmates, including Thomas and the newborn’s mother.