Family sues jail for man’s death after staff allegedly failed to give medication

Lawsuit claims Maurice Monk’s death represents ‘unconscionable failure’ of staff at Santa Rita jail, one of the largest jails in country

Nearly two years ago, Maurice Monk, unable to afford his $2,500 bond, sat in a California jail for 34 days. He had missed a court appearance following an argument with a bus driver.

Before he entered Santa Rita jail in Alameda county, Monk had regularly taken prescription medication for high blood pressure, diabetes and schizophrenia. During a previous time at Santa Rita months before his death, he had received his prescriptions as usual.