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NEW YORK (AP) — A published report says a New York City inmate with a history of mental illness hanged himself after spending three days in jail without being evaluated by a psychologist.
Jairo Polanco Munoz was awaiting trial on petty larceny charges when he was found dead inside his cell Monday in the Manhattan Detention Complex.
The Daily News reports (http://nydn.us/1PfC41r) that Munoz tried to commit suicide earlier while he was behind bars last April.
The newspaper says that in the recent case, a jail medical official conducted a basic health check and ordered a more comprehensive psychological assessment within 72 hours.
Munoz killed himself before that happened.
Commissioner Joseph Ponte says the Correction Department is conducting a thorough investigation.
Ponte says any death in custody concerns him greatly.
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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com
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