Markeisha Blount (Full Name: Markeisha Monique Renee Blount), 31, of Stockton Died Following “Medical Emergency” At Maple Street Jail in Redwood City
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA (October 10, 2025) – A woman identified as Markeisha Blount has tragically died while in custody at the Maple Street Jail in Redwood City.
San Mateo County officials are saying that the incident took place on September 29. Correctional officers are saying that Markeisha Blount suffered some type of “medical emergency” while in her housing pod.
Jail staff began medical efforts before those were taken over by medical staff. Paramedics were also called to the jail to help the woman.
Sadly, Markeisha Blount was later pronounced dead. The county coroner is working to determine a cause of death.
This is the seventh in-custody death since January of 2023. It also comes after a major 30-person brawl broke out at the jail on Friday.
Liability for Redwood City Inmate Deaths
Because every person in custody is under the control of the state, they are not able to seek medical care for themselves. It must therefore be provided to them. They must also be housed in a reasonably safe environment under humane conditions. Failing to provide inmates with reasonably adequate medical care is a violation of their constitutional right to equal protection and due process. There are many ways that a jail may have failed to take adequate care of an inmate.
- Medical Evaluation: A jail may fail to provide an inmate with a proper medical evaluation. Inmates enter jail with a variety of different needs. Some of these needs require that they receive ongoing care.
- Monitoring: Every inmate should receive periodic wellness checks throughout their stay. Inmates with serious medical needs may need to be closely monitored in specialized units.
- Treatment: Jail officials may fail to provide an inmate with the medical treatment that they need. In certain cases, inmates have not received proper care for chronic health conditions.
- Emergency Response: It is also possible that a jail may have failed to get an inmate timely care in the event of a medical emergency.
Not every instance of neglect in a jail setting will rise to the level of a constitutional violation. Instead, jails can be liable for being deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate. What may constitute deliberate indifference will often depend heavily on the unique circumstances surrounding any particular incident. It is best to have any inmate death independently reviewed by a skilled civil rights advocate.
Steps to Take After Redwood City Inmate Deaths
Far too many people are seriously injured or die every year in county jails. According to Cal Matters, “California jails are holding fewer people than they have in decades, but they are deadlier places than ever. The number of people dying surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then a wave of overdoses and suicides kept death rates at record levels. “The vast majority of these deaths are preventable,” one expert said.” The family of any inmate who died in custody should take certain actions to protect their rights.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to the death should be collected and carefully reviewed. This can help answer certain questions. In particular, what did the jail know about an inmate’s health conditions before they were admitted?
- Jail Records: Jails will keep detailed records of an inmate’s stay. These can also play a critical role in any investigation into the death.
- Evaluate Systemic Issues: Inmate deaths tend to be the result of systemic failures. This can include instances where a jail is overcrowded or understaffed.
- Legal Review: Inmate deaths should be carefully reviewed by legal counsel experienced in civil rights claims. They can conduct an independent investigation and ensure that related evidence is properly preserved.
Jail deaths are often highly preventable. This is particularly true at certain jails across the state. These institutions may claim that certain inmate deaths were the result of “medical emergencies” or were otherwise “natural.” But a close examination of these incidents often reveals that this may not be the case. This is why it is so important to have any inmate death independently reviewed to uncover constitutional violations.
Investigating Redwood City Inmate Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Markeisha Blount. Any person who may have more information should reach out to investigators. The sheer number of inmate deaths across San Mateo County in recent years remains deeply concerning. Many questions still need to be answered. Did this woman receive proper medical care? Was this jail overcrowded? Did it have enough staff members to ensure the safety of inmates?
Do you need more information about a Redwood City inmate death? Our team of civil rights investigators is here for you. We care deeply that all people across California are aware of their constitutional rights and that law enforcement is held fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent review of any in-custody death, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
