A former Alabama corrections officer, Joshua Conner Jones, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of mentally ill inmate Tony Mitchell, who froze to death in January 2023 after severe mistreatment.

Jones has admitted to conspiring to deprive Mitchell of his rights and to a separate assault on another inmate. The court heard details of Mitchell's harrowing two-week incarceration, during which he was left naked, cold, and covered in feces, ultimately leading to his death from severe hypothermia. The plea comes as investigations continue into the involvement of five other co-conspirators in the mistreatment that caused Mitchell's death.

Tony Mitchell, 55, was arrested on January 12, 2023, after his cousin requested a welfare check due to concerns that Mitchell was experiencing a mental health crisis. The cousin reported that Mitchell had been talking about 'portals to heaven and hell.' The police took Mitchell into custody, and he was subsequently incarcerated at an Alabama jail.

During his incarceration, Mitchell, who had a history of drug addiction, faced severe mistreatment. For nearly the entire two weeks he was in jail, he was reportedly kept naked, wet, and cold. Additionally, Mitchell was often covered in feces and was left lying on a cement floor without a mat or blanket, according to the court records.

Mitchell's condition deteriorated drastically over the course of his incarceration. By the second week, he was largely unresponsive and listless, yet no corrective action was taken by the officers to alleviate his suffering. The lack of attention to his severe condition raised serious concerns about the treatment he received while in custody.

On January 26, 2023, Mitchell was brought to a hospital emergency room with an alarmingly low body temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). Medical professionals determined that Mitchell had severe hypothermia, a condition that ultimately led to his death.

Joshua Conner Jones, one of the corrections officers involved, has now pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deprive an inmate of their rights related to the death of Tony Mitchell, who froze to death. He also faced a separate charge related to the assault of another inmate.

In his plea agreement, Jones acknowledged the collective role he and other officers played in Mitchell's death. 'Collectively we did it. We killed him,' Jones admitted. This acknowledgment has brought to the forefront the severity of the mistreatment that Mitchell suffered while incarcerated.

While Jones has taken responsibility, investigations into the involvement of other officers continue. Five other co-conspirators have been identified in relation to the mistreatment that led to Mitchell's death, but charges against them have not yet been finalized. The ongoing investigation may result in further legal actions against these individuals.

The case against Jones was corroborated by court documents and statements from his defense lawyer, W. Scott Brower, who confirmed that the charges were indeed related to the death of Tony Mitchell. The plea has highlighted the concerning conditions under which inmates are sometimes held and the dire consequences of neglect and abuse.

Mitchell's case has underscored significant shortcomings in the care and treatment of inmates with mental illnesses and histories of addiction. It has prompted calls for reform and better oversight in correctional facilities to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.