Death County, PA - Episode 5: "Lights Out"

In the fifth installment of Wondery’s gripping series, "Death County, PA," host Joshua Vaughn delves deeper into the murky depths of Dauphin County Prison (DCP) and the intertwined lives of two newly elected officials, Justin Douglas and Lamont Jones. This episode, titled "Lights Out," unravels the escalating tensions and systemic issues within DCP, setting the stage for a showdown between reformers and entrenched powers.

Justin Douglas’ Election Night Triumph

The episode opens on the pivotal election night of November 7, 2023. Justin Douglas, an underdog candidate running for county commissioner, finds himself at Mr. G's Bar and Grill alongside friends and supporters. As the night progresses, Justin's campaign starts to defy expectations.

Lamont Jones reflects on the moment: “We were watching their poll results come in” ([00:45]). Initially skeptical, Lamont admits, “I’m not really the eternal optimist type person. I tend to lean pessimist, but I was like, this is like a coin flip, I think” ([01:30]). However, as precincts report in, Justin begins to surge ahead. Lamont exclaims in disbelief, “Are you kidding me right now?” ([02:38]), witnessing Justin win by a slender margin of 42 votes. To memorialize this tight victory, Justin gets a tattoo of the number 42 on his wrist—a testament to his resolve for jail reform.

Lamont Jones’ Election Amidst Controversy

Parallel to Justin's success, Lamont Jones secures his position as a city councilman, albeit amidst controversy. With a felony record from his past as a drug dealer, Lamont faces legal challenges. “They told me that I wasn’t eligible to serve, and I said, show me where it says that I can’t” ([06:38]). His argument hinges on the Pennsylvania election code, which, according to Lamont, does not explicitly bar him from running. This legal maneuver allows him to remain on the ballot, though his felony convictions still pose a barrier to being sworn in. To overcome this, Lamont applies for a pardon, a process fraught with uncertainty and past rejections.

Lamont’s dedication pays off when, just 10 days before his swearing-in, he receives the long-awaited pardon. “Wonderful. To sum it all up, it felt wonderful” ([09:09]), he shares, signifying a new chapter in his fight for justice and reform.

Unveiling the Dark Realities of Dauphin County Prison

As Justin prepares to take office, attention turns to Dauphin County Prison, a facility plagued by mysterious deaths and deteriorating conditions. The narrative shifts to the plight of inmates like Don Simmers and Taji Abdullah, who recount harrowing experiences within the prison's restrictive housing unit, colloquially known as "The Hole."

Don Simmers describes the chaos: “All the time, you just hear somebody kicking on a bomb bomb bomb, kicking on the door” ([10:24]). The Hole is depicted as a hellish environment where inmates are subjected to constant noise, contraband smuggling, and punitive measures. Efforts by corrections officers (COs) to curb the influx of synthetic marijuana (K2) only exacerbate tensions, leading to increasingly harsh crackdowns.

The Devastating Power Outage Incident

A significant turning point occurs when the administration resorts to cutting power as a means of controlling contraband use. Taji Abdullah reveals, “They turned all the electricity off. We were just sitting in the bar, dark place… It was like just freezing down there” ([15:34]). This drastic measure leaves inmates in darkness and without heat for 17 agonizing days, a move that borders on torture and ignites widespread outrage.

Joshua Vaughn underscores the severity: “Turning off the lights and electricity for any amount of days feels wrong, but 17, that feels like torture” ([16:05]). The incident sparks a class-action lawsuit against DCP, highlighting systemic abuse and negligence.

Lamont’s Investigation and the Emergence of Corruption

Determined to uncover the truth behind these atrocities, Lamont initiates a thorough investigation. Conversations with inmates and whistleblowers reveal a pattern of neglect and malicious intent. The prison administration’s refusal to address the power outage transparently fuels suspicions of corruption within Dauphin County.

Lamont asserts, “I may be new, but it’s clear Dauphin county has been a cesspool of corruption with people turning a blind eye or even worse, in on it themselves” ([31:22]). This revelation sets the stage for a deeper exploration of institutional corruption in subsequent episodes.

Justin and Lamont’s United Front

As newly sworn-in officials, Justin Douglas and Lamont Jones form a formidable alliance against the entrenched powers within DCP. Their shared mission to reform the prison system is evident in their proactive engagement with inmates and relentless pursuit of accountability.

Justin Douglas emphasizes the need for higher standards: “What it's going to take is higher standards… people knowing that the task of being in this role means the standard is high” ([30:59]). Together, they confront the challenges head-on, exemplified when they personally respond to a secondary power outage incident at DCP, coordinating with COs and ensuring inmate safety despite systemic failures.

Confronting Systemic Failures and Looking Forward

The episode concludes with Justin and Lamont facing the daunting task of dismantling a corrupt system resistant to change. Their unwavering commitment is tested as they navigate crises, like the repeated power outages, and confront the indifference and complicity of prison administrators.

Lamont Jones expresses frustration: “He was very agitated that some of the leadership wasn’t around… that just showed a level of commitment to make sure that this gets remedied” ([28:51]). The narrative sets up a cliffhanger, promising intense confrontations and deeper investigations into the pervasive corruption within Dauphin County Prison.

Conclusion

"Lights Out" serves as a compelling exploration of systemic abuse within the Dauphin County Prison system, highlighting the personal and professional struggles of Justin Douglas and Lamont Jones as they strive to implement meaningful reform. Through firsthand accounts and relentless investigation, the episode exposes the dark underbelly of institutional negligence and corruption, setting the stage for a climactic resolution in the series finale.

For more insights into the ongoing saga of corruption and reform in Death County, PA, be sure to listen to the next and final episode of the series.