Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sens. Ossoff and Kennedy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Notify Loved Ones When Inmates Suffer Health Complications

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) reintroduced the bipartisan Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act to help ensure family members are notified in a timely and compassionate manner in the event of the death or serious illness or injury of a loved one in custody.  

The bipartisan bill would require the U.S. Department of Justice to establish best practices for family notification by issuing central guidance to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and local and state institutions.  

"Parents, children, and siblings deserve to know about the well-being of their family members. However, our current prison system does not require correctional facilities to notify the families of incarcerated people if their loved ones are seriously ill, injured, or deceased,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “In 2016, Wakiesha Wilson tragically died while incarcerated, and her family members were never directly informed about her passing. It took them 18 days to finally see her, but it was already too late. No one should have to experience the agony of the unknown, which is why this bill is so important."

“Too often, the families of those incarcerated never find out about a serious illness, a life-threatening injury, or even the death of a loved one behind bars. That’s why we are introducing this bipartisan reform legislation,” Sen. Ossoff said. 

In 2016, Los Angeles’ resident Wakiesha Wilson was found deceased inside her prison cell at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center. Wakiesha’s family was never directly contacted regarding her death, sending them on an agonizing journey to discover information about her whereabouts. It wasn’t until 18 days later that Wakiesha’s family was finally able to see her at the L.A. morgue.

“We worked hard for many years on this with BLMLA support and are encouraged to see it finally re-introduced. Wakeisha’s Law will help to ensure that no other family has to endure the agony our family did,” said Lisa and Sheila Hines, mother and aunt of Wakiesha Wilson.

Click here to read the Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act. 

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