The Michigan Department of Corrections was forced to pay $860K after two corrections officers placed a wager on an inmate’s suicide.
The incident occurred in 2015 when Janika Edmond, 25, was serving time at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, according to MLive.
Edmond had a history of mental health issues and was known to be suicidal. In Oct. 2015, Edmond asked correctional officer Dianna Callahan for a suicide prevention vest, an article of clothing that reduces a person’s ability to harm themselves. However, Callahan and the other officers ignored the request.
Edmond took a shower and allegedly hung herself. She died at a hospital three days later.
Callahan cheered with joy after she won a bet placed with a fellow corrections officer, Kory Moore. The two bet a Subway sandwich on whether or not Edmond would commit suicide.
After guards discovered her unconscious, they did not immediately call authorities.
On May 21, the Michigan Department of Corrections settled the lawsuit with members of Edmond’s family.
Moore was fired and Callahan was sentenced to six months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
