Island County sheriff details reforms planned at jail after inmate’s death

COUPEVILLE — Island County Sheriff Mark Brown detailed Thursday the changes he’s making to the way mentally ill inmates will be cared for at the jail, including daily assessments by medical staff and record sharing.

Brown also said he is in the final stages of hiring an outside corrections expert to review jail operations.

The changes were implemented after an investigation determined that Keaton Farris died April 7 in the Coupeville lockup from dehydration and malnutrition. Farris, 25, lived with bipolar disorder. Corrections officers had shut off the water to stop him from flooding his cell. He received a fraction of the water necessary to survive. Records also show corrections officers failed to check on him hourly.

Two officers, who reportedly falsified records, have resigned and two others have been put on leave. Island County Prosecuting Attorney Greg Banks is reviewing the case for possible criminal charges.

Brown said Thursday that “based on the findings in the investigation, along with input from local health care professionals and jail staff, we have instituted changes to our policies and procedures to make sure our inmates are safe and their medical issues are immediately and thoroughly addressed.”

The reforms include a review of the jail’s mental health services by Island County Human Services Division. The Island County Health Department also will review the medical care provided at the jail.

A mental health professional will assess inmates daily and have direct contact with those who express or exhibit symptoms of mental illness. Those interactions must be documented in the inmate’s file. There also will be mental health and medical screenings. Corrections officers must have more frequent contact with inmates held in safety cells.

The officers won’t need authorization to send someone to Whidbey General Hospital if they are concerned about the inmate’s health.

Brown also said all medical records received by the corrections department or generated in jail will be copied and forwarded with inmates if they are moved to another jail or to a mental health facility. Farris had been in three different jails before being housed in the Island County Jail.

“Inmate health takes priority over other issues and corrections officers can call the jail administrator 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Brown said.

He also has ordered equipment that will allow saving video that is now not retained from 16 jail surveillance cameras. He also wants to install 16 additional cameras.

Farris’ parents were joined by more than 200 people outside the jail Sunday. They called for immediate reforms to prevent any further deaths.

Farris was being held for a mental health evaluation to determine if he was able to assist with his own defense on a San Juan County theft charge. He’d been jailed there about two weeks. He was found dead at 12:40 a.m. April 8. His time of death was estimated at roughly two hours before.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.