INVESTIGATIONS

Overcrowded and understaffed: Most Indiana jails repeatedly violate state safety standards

Robert Scheer
robert.scheer@indystar.com
Doug Gosser, a former Sheriff of Rush County, Ind., lost his son, Brian Gosser, in 2016 after the 32-year-old was beaten to death by other detainees inside Henry County’s jail. Gosser had been taken to jail on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Doug Gosser, a former Sheriff of Rush County, Ind., lost his son, Brian Gosser, in 2016 after the 32-year-old was beaten to death by other detainees inside Henry County’s jail. Gosser had been taken to jail on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Metal bunks on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the Allen County Jail in downtown Ft. Wayne, Ind. A thin pad is typically given to detainees, but on occasion they run out forcing people to sleep on these metal beds or on portable plastic bunks that sit on the ground.
Metal bunks on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the Allen County Jail in downtown Ft. Wayne, Ind. A thin pad is typically given to detainees, but on occasion they run out forcing people to sleep on these metal beds or on portable plastic bunks that sit on the ground.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Commissioner of Indiana Department of Correction Rob Carter.
Commissioner of Indiana Department of Correction Rob Carter.
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An image of Brian Gosser is displayed on the back of his father, Doug Gosser's cell phone. Doug Gosser is a former Rush County Sheriff and is seeking justice in the case of Brian's death. Brian died following a 2016 beating by other inmates at the Henry County Jail.
An image of Brian Gosser is displayed on the back of his father, Doug Gosser's cell phone. Doug Gosser is a former Rush County Sheriff and is seeking justice in the case of Brian's death. Brian died following a 2016 beating by other inmates at the Henry County Jail.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
David Wedding, Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, shows jail inspection reports Wednesday, July 28, 2021. He thinks such reports by Indiana's DOC are sometimes too weak. "I want the worst report I could get on this jail," Wedding said.
David Wedding, Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, shows jail inspection reports Wednesday, July 28, 2021. He thinks such reports by Indiana's DOC are sometimes too weak. "I want the worst report I could get on this jail," Wedding said.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
These wall-mounted handcuffs are rarely used, but occasionally allow a jail official to lock a detainee to a wall in this open hallway at the Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne, Ind.
These wall-mounted handcuffs are rarely used, but occasionally allow a jail official to lock a detainee to a wall in this open hallway at the Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Inmates in the women's block spend a few minutes getting sunlight and a view of the sky Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville, Ind. The jail is one of the larger county jails in Indiana, and has had three deaths — all of natural causes — since 2010.
Inmates in the women's block spend a few minutes getting sunlight and a view of the sky Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville, Ind. The jail is one of the larger county jails in Indiana, and has had three deaths — all of natural causes — since 2010.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Ken Falk, Legal Director for ACLU of Indiana, has been active in trying to hold Indiana county jails accountable for deaths inside them.
Ken Falk, Legal Director for ACLU of Indiana, has been active in trying to hold Indiana county jails accountable for deaths inside them.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark is President of the Indiana Sheriffs' Association. Photographed during a Sheriff's Association meeting in Avon, Ind. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark is President of the Indiana Sheriffs' Association. Photographed during a Sheriff's Association meeting in Avon, Ind. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
The inmate count at the Carroll County Detention Center on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the facility in Delphi, Ind. County jails sometimes make money by hosting another county's inmates.
The inmate count at the Carroll County Detention Center on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the facility in Delphi, Ind. County jails sometimes make money by hosting another county's inmates.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
An image of Brian Gosser, who died in the Henry County Jail after a beating by fellow detainees in 2016. His father, Doug Gosser, is a former Rush County Sheriff and is seeking justice. Gosser had struggles with alcohol, and was locked up for driving while intoxicated.
An image of Brian Gosser, who died in the Henry County Jail after a beating by fellow detainees in 2016. His father, Doug Gosser, is a former Rush County Sheriff and is seeking justice. Gosser had struggles with alcohol, and was locked up for driving while intoxicated.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Allen County Sheriff David J. Gladieux, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Allen County Sheriff David J. Gladieux, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Allen County Jail in Ft. Wayne, Ind. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Allen County Jail in Ft. Wayne, Ind. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar