Caller Alerts Jail Staff of Overdose and Saves Inmates Life
By the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office
A member of the public called the Northern Branch Jail staff to alert them about an inmate who was possibly overdosing, resulting in that inmate being successfully resuscitated.
On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at approximately 8:25 p.m., administrative support staff at the Northern Branch Jail received a call from a member of the public who was concerned about an inmate they just spoke with over the phone who sounded unwell. Staff relayed that information to the Custody Deputy in the housing unit for the inmate. Custody deputies located the inmate in the dayroom area, unresponsive on the ground. Within minutes, custody deputies deployed naloxone and requested an emergency medical response for an unconscious inmate.
While emergency medical responders were enroute, custody deputies administered two additional doses of naloxone. At approximately 8:32 p.m., after a total of three doses of naloxone, the inmate regained consciousness. The inmate was transported to an area hospital for follow-up care and is expected to recover.
Vincent Wasilewski, Chief of Jail Operations said, “The successful outcome of this incident was due in large part to the willingness of a family member to call and alert us of the potential overdose. I want to thank them for trusting their instincts and trusting us to take appropriate action. They set in motion our response that resulted in a life being saved. I also want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone who has contact with the individuals held in our jails to help us in keeping them safe. If you have knowledge, or suspect, that they are in danger, whether it be from a drug overdose, a life-threatening medical emergency, or self-harm, call us. You, too, might help save a life.”
You can reach staff at the Northern Branch Jail at any time of the day at (805)554-3100. You can reach the Main Jail at (805)681-4260.
7 Comments
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Nov 02, 2022 01:16 PMGood job to the deputies for taking the call seriously and saving a life! Bravo.
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Nov 02, 2022 02:16 PMIt is hard to read this story without acknowledging the shortfalls that this inmate is supposed to be in a secure and supervised area.
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Nov 02, 2022 02:32 PMThank you, deputies! And family member for calling! Hopefully, the source of the overdose will be discovered.
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Nov 02, 2022 10:44 PMI know this may be a dumb question but is it really true that they cannot figure out a way to keep drugs out of SB County jails?
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Nov 03, 2022 07:21 AMThey need to cut mail and phone calls, and drugs and gangs would greatly crippled.
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Nov 03, 2022 11:40 AMIt’s really hard to do that. Not just in our jails, but all prisons— and there are all sorts of precautions. I don’t know how it happens, but it does. Glad they saved a life this time. Shows a respect for duty and life that can be lacking in some people in some institutions. It’s hard to have compassion for those who are lost and misbehave.
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Nov 03, 2022 09:55 AMSure. If anyone has any knowledge in how the drugs are getting into the jail should report it that family members, gang members inside the jail receiving the drugs from gang members from the outside and some of the jail guards who just may be involved. Someone is paying big money for the drugs getting inside the jail and someone is making big, big money on the outside. A huge problem in our jail and prison system all across the U.S.