The ACLU of NH is deeply saddened to learn about the death of Jeff Pendleton, an ACLU client who was a defender of constitutional rights.
According to a press release issued today (see below), Jeff died Sunday in his cell at Valley Street Jail in Manchester. Though Jeff was poor and homeless, he took it upon himself to be an ACLU client in two important cases defending the constitutional rights of the indigent.
In the first case, on March 4, 2015, the town of Hudson agreed to pay Jeff $7,640, be subject to a permanent consent order, and conduct further police training to settle his lawsuit alleging that the town of Hudson was engaging in an unconstitutional practice of detaining, harassing, threatening, dispersing, and citing peaceful panhandlers.
In the second case, on March 4, 2015, the city of Nashua agreed to pay Jeff $10,315 to settle his civil rights claim after he spent 33 days in jail simply for walking in a park adjacent to the Nashua Public Library. We will deeply miss Jeff. We trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted on the circumstances of his tragic and untimely death.
Information on the two cases can be found here: In Nashua case and In Hudson case
Press Release from Hillsborough County Department of Corrections
445 Willow Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103-6216
Telephone (603) 627-5620
Facsimile (603) 627-5618
NEWS ADVISORY
Manchester, NH 14 March 2016
Inmate Death at Hillsborough County Correctional Facility
On 13 March 2016, at approximately 2:45 p.m., inmate Jeffrey Pendleton, 26, of Nashua, N.H, an inmate at the Hillsborough County Correctional Facility, was discovered unconscious in his cell.
Correctional officers and on-duty medical personnel began emergency medical treatment, which continued until American Medical Response and Manchester Fire Department personnel arrived. Emergency personnel pronounced Mr. Pendleton dead at 3:19 p.m.
Superintendent David Dionne said; “There appeared no indication that Mr. Pendleton was in any form of distress.” Inmate Pendleton was being held at the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections since 9 March 2016 by Nashua District Court on one count of an act prohibited. His bail had been set $100.00 cash.
Manchester police and correctional officials are investigating. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
David M. Dionne, CLS
Superintendent
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