In the span of six weeks, between November 29, 2021, and January 9, 2022, five people died while in the custody of the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
Five deaths in Louisville’s Jail cannot be excused or overlooked.
Honoring the Humanity of Those Who Died
Note: This timeline includes a description of a suicide method.
November 29, 2021
Kenneth Hall, 59, was found unresponsive in a housing unit. He was transported to the hospital and died there.
December 3, 2021
Rikitta Smith, 34, was found unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
December 4, 2021
Stephanie “Cookie” Dunbar, 48, reportedly died by hanging suicide in a “single-person holding cell” according to Director Dwane Clark at Criminal Justice Commission, Jail Policy Committee meeting.
December 6, 2021
ACLU-KY called together a coalition, including LFJA, and held a press conference to demand emergency action in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
December 30, 2021
Garry Wetherill, 41, attempted suicide by hanging. He was transported to the hospital and died there on January 1, 2022.
January 9, 2022
Keith Smith, 66, was found unresponsive in a medical housing unit. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.
Learn More
Vera Institute Report on Reimagining Prison with Human Dignity as Guiding Principle
Louisville Family Justice Advocates 