A 60-year-old Black man named Mitchell Bolder, known as “Rusty,” tragically died by suicide on June 25 at the federal penitentiary in Victorville, California. Despite efforts to save him, Mitchell Bolder passed away at a local hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell. His death sheds light on the harsh reality of prison conditions and the neglectful treatment of inmates.
Prior to his suicide, the prison where Bolder was held had been under lockdown, severely restricting the inmates’ movement. Locked in their cells for most of the day, the prisoners faced isolation, lack of access to basic services, and deteriorating mental health. Bolder’s struggles with the lockdown, coupled with inadequate medical care and unsuitable living conditions, exacerbated his distress.
The incident involving Bolder highlights the pressing need for reform in the prison system, including proper oversight, transparency, and humane treatment of incarcerated individuals. The tragic circumstances surrounding his death underscore the urgent need for change in how prisons are managed and how inmates are cared for.