Quadir Boykin, 46, of Menifee, Died After Being Found Unresponsive at Riverside County Jail
BANNING, CALIFORNIA (December 30, 2025) – A 46-year-old inmate identified as Quadir Boykin has died while in custody at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Riverside County officials are saying that the incident began around 12:40 a.m. on Monday, December 29. Jail officials noticed that Quadir Boykin was unresponsive inside of his cell.
Corrections staff and jail medical staff began performing life-saving measures. These efforts were later taken over by paramedics.
Despite these efforts, Quadir Boykin was pronounced dead at the scene. A full investigation into his death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Riverside County Inmate Deaths
Jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with adequate care for all of their medical needs. Failing to provide inmates with medical care is considered a form of cruel and unusual punishment. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are many different ways that a jail may violate the constitutional rights of an inmate and thereby contribute to their death.
- Delayed Care: A jail may have delayed getting an inmate the care that they need. In many cases, delaying care can have deadly consequences.
- Excessive Force: Jail guards may have used excessive force on an inmate and contributed to their death. This can include putting inmates in illegal chokeholds.
- Overdose: A large number of inmates die from an overdose every year. Fentanyl has been particularly deadly.
Jails are supposed to provide routine wellness checks on all of the inmates in their care. Certain inmates will need to be monitored much more closely. But in far too many situations, jails do not follow adequate safety protocols. This could be due to budget cuts, staff shortages, and overcrowding. The family of any person who died in custody may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim.
Steps to Take After Riverside County Inmate Deaths
Jails across Riverside County have a particularly poor track record with respect to the care that inmates are given. The county has been sued numerous times after inmates have died in their care. According to ABC 7, “Riverside County has reached a $7.5 million settlement with the family of a man who died after a violent confrontation with law enforcement while in jail.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any person dies in custody at a Riverside County jail.
- All of the medical records related to the death should be collected.
- Body camera footage from all officers involved should be reviewed.
- Surveillance footage related to the incident should be sought.
- Surviving family members of any inmate who died should carefully consider their legal options with a civil rights attorney.
Inmate deaths are often highly preventable. This is particularly true with respect to deaths that take place in Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and Riverside County. These three counties have consistently struggled to uphold constitutional standards. This is why it is so important that deaths within these counties are properly investigated by an outside party.
Investigating Riverside County Inmate Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Quadir Boykin. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. The sheer number of inmate deaths at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility over the past several years remains deeply concerning. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents going forward.
Do you need more information about a Riverside County inmate death? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that jails are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
