BIA settles lawsuit over suicide at Yakama jail

Thursday, February 1, 2007  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has agreed to settle a lawsuit over the suicide of a 39-year-old man at a jail on the Yakama Nation of Washington.

The family of Ricky O. Sampson will receive $700,000 for their wrongful death lawsuit. Sampson hanged himself from a a towel tied to a broken light fixture in June 2004.

Six months after the incident, a 17-year-old boy attempted suicide. The BIA shut down the 50-bed jail, citing safety concerns.

Sampson's children will use the money for housing and to pay for college.

Get the Story:
Lawsuit over suicide at tribal jail settled (The Yakima Herald-Republic 2/1)

Inspector General Final Jail Report:
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Inspector General Interim Jail Report:
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Department of Justice Jail Reports:
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