Falsified Logs. Missed Rounds. Preventable Deaths.

Cell checks are the most basic safety measure in any detention facility. They exist so that guards physically observe each inmate at regular intervals — typically every 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the facility's policies and the inmate's classification level. Inmates on suicide watch are required to be checked even more frequently.

When guards skip these rounds, inmates who are experiencing medical emergencies, overdoses, withdrawal seizures, suicide attempts, or assaults go undiscovered for extended periods. Minutes matter. In many in-custody deaths, the difference between life and death was the time between when the inmate became unresponsive and when they were finally discovered.

• Video-to-Log Comparison: We obtain all jail surveillance footage and compare timestamps against the official cell check log, entry by entry.
• Electronic Access Records: Modern jails use electronic systems that log when a guard's badge scans a checkpoint. We subpoena these records to verify physical presence.
• Staffing Records: Were enough guards on duty to complete required rounds? Chronic understaffing is evidence of systemic failure.
• Training Records: Were guards trained on cell check requirements, including what to look for during visual observation?
• Prior Incidents: Has this facility had previous deaths or grievances related to missed cell checks? A pattern of failures strengthens a Monell claim against the municipality.