Nine Greene County jail employees have been fired following the death of 19-year-old Atiyanna Willis, who experienced a medical emergency while in custody on September 22. Sheriff Brad Snyder announced the terminations in a statement, citing failures to uphold the standards of care he expects within the detention facility.
“Since that day, I’ve personally reviewed video and documentation from her time in our facility. What I have found angers me greatly,” Snyder stated. “Every person in our custody deserves to be checked on, cared for, and treated with dignity. That’s the standard I set here in this jail.”
Snyder noted that the staff members were let go after his review determined they had not adhered to these standards. However, he did not allege criminal misconduct by the employees or suggest that any charges were being pursued.
The sheriff announced that all jail staff are undergoing additional training to better recognize when inmates require medical attention and to reinforce proper monitoring protocols.
The Arkansas State Police has launched an independent investigation into Willis’s death. Autopsy results have not yet been released, and an internal review by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office remains ongoing.
“Our own internal review is continuing, too. If we find something that needs to change, we’re going to change it,” Snyder said, adding, “Most of the men and women who work in our jail do a hard job, and they do it very well. But when someone in our custody needs help, we have to answer. Every time.”
No additional details about Willis’s medical emergency or the circumstances of her death have been disclosed at this time.