Congressman Gwen Moore — a Democrat whose district is based in Milwaukee — said on Twitter Wednesday that Justice Department officials have informed her that they are considering an investigation into the Milwaukee County Jail.
The investigation would be into the patterns and practices used at the jail, which experienced four deaths within a six-month period. Earlier this month, Moore wrote a letter to the Justice Department calling the jail an “unsafe environment” and asking for an independent investigation.
#BreakingNews @TheJusticeDept told me they’re considering pattern/practice investigation into tragedies at @SheriffClarke‘s #MKE County Jail
— Rep. Gwen Moore (@RepGwenMoore) December 21, 2016
The person in charge of the Milwaukee County Jail is Sheriff David Clarke, who was thrust into the spotlight after speaking at the Republican National Convention this summer. Clark, who is black, was elected to his current post in 2002.
Three inmates and a baby have died since April at the Milwaukee County Jail.
During a meeting last week, the Milwaukee County Board voted in favor of adopting a new policy for investigating in-custody deaths, specifically at the Milwaukee County Jail. The vote came during a meeting in which Clarke was called to discuss two lawsuits filed against his jail — a meeting that he did not attend.
A Milwaukee County supervisor, three Democratic state lawmakers and the group The Progressive Moms of Milwaukee have called for Clarke’s resignation over the deaths at the jail.
