Arlington Sheriff's Office Terminates Contact With Medical Provider After Inmate Death

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office ended its contract with its medical care provider almost three weeks after a man was found unresponsive in the county jail’s medical unit and later died at a hospital, the sheriff’s office said Monday.

The sheriff's office said it has entered into contract negotiations with a new medical care provider. Services with a new provider are expected to begin Nov. 15.

On Oct. 5, Clyde Spencer, 58, was in the jail’s medical unit when he was found unconscious around 6:30 a.m., according to a police department press release. He was transported to the Virginia Hospital Center but died that night. An exact cause of death was not given.

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail at 1435 N. Courthouse Road.

“The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the highest level of medical services to those in our custody and I take each individuals care very seriously,” Arlington Sheriff Beth Arthur said in a statement. “How we care for those remanded to our custody is a priority.”

Arthur said her office is “committed to having a vendor that provides the level of medical service that reflects the high expectations of not only myself, but the Arlington community.”

Arlington County Police Chief Charles "Andy" Penn requested that the Northern Virginia Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) investigate the circumstances surrounding Spencer’s death.

This remains an active investigation by CIRT. Upon completion of the investigation, the entire investigative file will be forwarded to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review, the police department said.

Police arrested Spencer on Oct. 2 in connection with a trespassing incident.

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