Another inmate found dead at Santa Clara County Main Jail

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Officials are investigating after another inmate died while in custody at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on Monday.

This investigation is in its early stages and the coroner has yet to start the autopsy, but the sheriff's department says if anyone did anything wrong they will be punished.

A death inside a jail is not uncommon, but the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said it is being extra transparent after a 33-year-old Hispanic man was found unresponsive in his cell.

Deputies, firefighters and paramedics did first aid and CPR, but were unable to revive him. "It is still early on in our investigation. We are looking at all witnesses, looking at all his records while he was in our custody and all of his records previous to getting into our custody," Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Sgt. James Jensen said.

Sheriff's department officials said they are not releasing his name at this time.

The man was arrested twice in September in Santa Clara County on charges that include four counts of assault and battery and one count of drunk in public.

Sheriff's officials would not say which floor he was on when he died, but a person familiar with the investigation said the man was on the 8th floor where inmates with mental health issues are housed.

Community activists have complained jail is not a good place for offenders suffering from mental health issues and said more facilities need to be available to treat them.

The increased scrutiny on this inmate's death comes about a month after the death of inmate Michael Tyree. The medical examiner said Tyree died of blunt force trauma and internal bleeding.

Three correctional deputies were arrested and charged with murder. "We were fast, we were transparent, we did the proper things. In this case we're doing the same thing, we're investigating this to the fullest. And if it is determined there was foul play we will hold those people accountable," Jensen said.

The San Jose Mercury News reports the inmate was on suicide watch, which would not be uncommon on the 8th floor at the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

The sheriff's office said they are hoping the coroner can complete the autopsy by the end of the week, so they can move forward with the investigation.