Tragic Death of Alabama Inmate Sparks Allegations of Assault and Neglect

ELMORE, Alabama - In a shocking turn of events, a young Alabama father of two, Daniel Terry Williams, died just days after he was allegedly beaten and sexually assaulted by a gang in Staton Correctional Facility. Williams, 22, had written a haunting Facebook post a week before the attack, expressing his anticipation of being released and his determination to turn his life around.

On October 15, Williams wrote, "How everybody doing? I ain't got too much longer left. Pray for me, I'm coming home better than I was before, drug-free. It's been a crazy ride, three different prisons now. It's almost over." His family believes he was referring to his scheduled release from Staton Correctional Facility on November 9, the same day he tragically passed away after being taken off life support.

According to court records, Williams was serving a one-year sentence for assault and theft charges as part of a plea agreement. He had only been at Staton for about two weeks following a transfer to the Elmore facility when the alleged assault occurred.

Williams' stepmother, Taylor Bostic, shared the horrifying details of his injuries. "He was black and blue from head to toe. He had restraint marks on his wrists. He had indents, almost, in his head from being beaten." Bostic and Williams' father were initially informed by the warden that their son had overdosed on drugs. However, upon visiting him in the hospital, they quickly realized that his injuries were consistent with a violent assault.

Terry Williams, the grieving father, confronted the warden about the conflicting information. "Why the hell did you tell me my son died of an overdose when it was obviously an assault?" he demanded. The warden claimed that the incident was under investigation, but the family has not received further updates.

According to witnesses from the facility, Williams had been "tied up" and beaten on October 19, three days before another inmate brought him to an officer for help. He was then transported to a hospital, where he was declared brain-dead. Devastatingly, his family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) stated that a possible inmate-on-inmate assault was reported at Staton Correctional Facility on October 19. Williams was discovered unresponsive in his dorm and was immediately transported to the Health Care Unit. Medical personnel provided treatment and monitored his condition, ultimately deciding to transfer him to an area hospital for further evaluation and treatment. He remained at the hospital until his family chose to remove life support. Following his passing, he was transported to Kilby Correctional Facility for long-term comfort care, where he subsequently died.

Williams' case highlights the ongoing issues within Alabama's prison system. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the state in 2020, citing a federal investigation that revealed constitutional violations due to rampant violence between prisoners and guards. This tragedy has sparked renewed calls for prison reform and justice for Daniel Terry Williams.

Bostic fondly described her stepson as a “busybody” who never stopped. She emphasized his dedication to his young daughter and his role as a loving father. Williams also had a young son. A GoFundMe page has been created in his name to raise funds for his funeral expenses.

The ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division is currently investigating the incident, while Williams' parents vow to continue their fight for justice. The circumstances surrounding his death have left a community in mourning and questioning the safety and well-being of inmates within the Alabama prison system.