Clayton County inmate dies after hours-long transport to south Georgia rehabilitation center

JONESBORO, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Clayton County inmate has died after being found unresponsive at the end of a four-hour transport to an Albany rehabilitation center.

Joseph Singleton, 39, had been in jail for about two years, according to his wife Trisha Singleton.

Trisha told Atlanta News First that as part of his probation, Joseph would go to Bainbridge Rehabilitation Center. That would be his final step before being released.

However, he never got that chance.

“When you’re in custody, it’s meant to protect yourself and others. And he wasn’t protected,” said Trisha. “I got a call Monday afternoon, around 1 or 2, telling me that he had had an episode on the bus, the transport bus, and that he was on life support.”

Trisha said she was told, based on findings from CT scans, at some point during the drive, he had stopped breathing. They did not realize it until they arrived at the facility when he was found unresponsive in the bus. Joseph was declared brain dead.

“He wanted to be able to help people, even though he struggled to help himself,” Trisha said.

Trisha said her husband went to jail because of a probation violation, which stemmed from an alleged car break-in. After struggling with his addiction, she said this was going to be his second chance.

“It can’t ever be made right again. Better choices can’t happen. Different choices can’t happen. Now he doesn’t have that option,” she said.

Trisha said she wanted people to know Joseph was not just an inmate number. He was a husband and a father of six.

“(Our son) Daniel graduates next month, and he was so mad that his daddy wouldn’t be able to see him graduate. He had already promised that he would see him in June for his birthday. So it’s hit them hard,” Trisha tearfully said. “I think different policies need to be implemented. Or, I don’t even know if they do have a policy, and it’s just not being followed.”

Trisha said she wants answers to her long list of questions, including whether or not there were other inmates on the bus, if they stopped at any point, or if there was video surveillance.

“I want to have justice. I want someone to be responsible because they were responsible for him.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will be performing the autopsy, and the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting the death investigation.

Atlanta News First reached out to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. They did not return our request for comment.

There is an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.

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