8 people charged in death of mentally ill Michigan prison inmate

By ED WHITE
Associated Press

Eight people have been charged in the death of a Michigan prison inmate who lost 50 pounds over two weeks and died of dehydration while being restrained. Jonathan Lancaster died in 2019 at the Alger prison in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Attorney General Dana Nessel says it was a “preventable tragedy that played out over days.” Two men who were prison officials at the time and four nurses are charged with involuntary manslaughter. Two prison officers face charges of misconduct. Lancaster’s family says he had a history of mental illness and showed symptoms while in prison, including paranoia and anxiety. Lancaster’s family reached a $2.6 million settlement in 2021 after suing prison health staff and private contractors.