CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Sheriff Garry McFadden released a statement on Friday after two recent inmate deaths at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, calling for greater attention to overcrowding, inmate health care and illegal drugs inside the jail.
“Every death in our detention center is a tragedy. Every person who enters our custody is someone’s son, daughter, mother, father, or loved one,” McFadden said.
Overcrowding issues continue
McFadden said the jail continues to operate over capacity, with some housing units exceeding safe classification levels. He said overcrowding puts added pressure on housing, supervision, medical care, and mental health services.
The sheriff also noted two challenges facing the detention center: inmates arriving with serious, often untreated medical conditions, and the continued introduction of illegal drugs into the jail despite security measures.…