Visitor accidentally locked in Chicago jail for 32 hours gets $600,000

[TexasTowelie]

CHICAGO • A man who was accidentally locked up in a Chicago jail for more than a day has been awarded a $600,000 settlement.

Farad Polk was visiting his son at the Cook County Jail in July 2014 when he was directed to "go down the hallway and turn to the right." He passed through a heavy steel door that slammed shut behind him. Authorities say the 8-foot-by-8-foot cell was a super-maximum security prisoners' visiting room.

Guards could not hear his cries for help. Polk was rescued by Chicago Fire Department personnel after he broke a sprinkler head. He was trapped in the room for 32 hours without food, water, bedding or a toilet.

He sued for emotional trauma.

Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Sophia Ansari announced the county's settlement with Polk on Monday.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/visitor-accidentally-locked-in-chicago-jail-for-hours-gets/article_7d9ed4f3-f539-525c-b7b3-2fbf966803a2.html

[pangaia]

1. Jeeze, I got locked in the stacks in the University of Illinois library overnight

and didn't get a thing..not even any books.

I never went back..

[uppityperson]

2. That poor man, how terrifying that must have been.

You are finding very interesting stories

[TexasTowelie]

3. You never know what is lurking in the pages of the local newspapers across the country.

I'd be terrified if I was locked in jail without being properly processed, particularly if I was on some type of medication that could have a profound impact on my health.

[NBachers]

4. It must've been pretty hairy waiting for a response with the sprinkler raining down on him.

Pretty desperate move. I'm glad it worked for the poor guy.