Family of inmate who died in Arlington County Jail files federal lawsuit

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than two years after a man died in custody at the Arlington County Jail, family members have filed a federal lawsuit. Paul Thompson was arrested on trespassing charges and died at the jail in February 2022.

Thompson's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against some of the organizations and people responsible for Thompson's healthcare on Monday. The NAACP Arlington Branch reports the suit targets the jail's medical provider, Mediko, and individuals employed to provide care at the jail. 

According to the NAACP, since Mediko took over as the jail's medical provider fewer than three years ago, three people have died at the jail. The NAACP says the family believes Thompson was not given proper care despite being visibly incapacitated, lethargic and spending virtually 24 hours a day in a wheelchair.

“We need to reform the Arlington criminal legal system to ensure people like Paul Thompson are not arrested and held in jail for an alleged poverty crime,” said NAACP Arlington Branch President Michael Hemminger.

According to the Arlington County Sheriff's Office, Thompson, 41, died on Feb. 1, 2022, after he was found unresponsive in his cell in a medical unit at the Arlington County Detention Facility. Deputies found Thompson at 3:06 p.m. He was pronounced deceased at 4:24 p.m.

"The facts alleged by Mr. Thompson’s family paint a picture of a system that allegedly neglects the most vulnerable and puts them at risk of dying," the NAACP said in a press release.

The lawsuit comes after the NAACP General Counsel and the Arlington Human Rights Commission (HRC) called for the U.S. Department of Justice to perform and independent investigation of the Arlington County Detention Facility. On Monday, the NAACP renewed its call for an investigation. The organization is also calling for records of any investigations to be released to the public. 

“After a new medical provider, three additional deaths, and no results from investigations of prior deaths, it is apparent our county is doing nowhere near enough to stop people from dying in the jail,” Hemminger said.