Prison Neglect Settlement

In Jackson County, a family has won millions of dollars in a lawsuit against the Jackson prison.

The family of Timothy Souders, 21, was awarded $3.25-million in the settlement.

Souders was a mentally ill inmate who died in August of 2006 after spending four days naked inside a hot cell at the Jackson prison.  His family sued prison officials and the company hired to provide care to mentally ill inmates.

An autopsy determined Souders died accidently of hyperthermia and dehydration.  His death sparked tons of questions about the treatment of mentally ill patients in state prisons.