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Family Sues Harris County and LaSalle Corrections Over Inmate Death in Private Louisiana Prison

Jaleen Anderson's family alleges medical negligence and systemic failures following his death from seizures, prompting legislative efforts to address oversight of out-of-state inmate care.

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Sarah Knight poses for a portrait at her home in Houston with a birthday card she made for her son Jaleen Anderson on May 13, 2024. Anderson died earlier in the year while being held in LaSalle Correctional Facility in Louisiana.

Overview

  • Jaleen Anderson, a 29-year-old Harris County inmate, died in April 2024 after suffering multiple seizures in a Louisiana private prison operated by LaSalle Corrections.
  • A federal lawsuit filed by Anderson's family accuses Harris County, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, and LaSalle Corrections of medical negligence and inhumane conditions, citing a pattern of inadequate care in LaSalle facilities.
  • The lawsuit alleges LaSalle prioritizes profits over inmate care, hiring untrained staff and failing to provide necessary medical attention, contributing to Anderson's preventable death.
  • Harris County spends over $58 million annually outsourcing inmates to private facilities due to overcrowding and staffing shortages, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
  • Texas lawmakers are advancing bills, including Senate Bill 2289, to improve reporting and oversight of out-of-state inmate deaths, as public scrutiny of private prison practices intensifies.