Juneteenth memorial planned for transgender woman who died in the Birmingham City Jail
Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, 32, was one of two people who died at the jail in a span of three days.
Ethan Parker 
The TAKE Resource Center is organizing a tribute this Saturday to honor the life of Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, a 32-year-old transgender woman who passed away while in custody at the Birmingham City Jail.
A Tragic Loss
Croskey was found unresponsive during a routine check last Thursday afternoon, according to Deputy Jefferson County Coroner Matt Angelo. Despite immediate efforts by jail staff to provide medical assistance and resuscitation, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Records from Birmingham Deputy Chief of Public Safety Carlton Peeples indicate that Croskey had been incarcerated for approximately 51 days following her April 21 booking on charges including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, criminal mischief, and two counts of third-degree assault. Peeples characterized the event as a “self-harm incident.”
Advocacy and Investigation
In a public statement, the TAKE Resource Center addressed the tragedy, labeling the death as “not accidental” and citing “failures within the carceral system.” The group emphasized that a lack of mental health resources and systemic negligence continue to result in loss of life.
The Birmingham Police Department is currently investigating Croskey’s death alongside the death of another 35-year-old inmate, which occurred three days later. That individual had been placed on suicide watch just hours before being found unresponsive in his cell on June 14. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office remains tasked with determining the official cause and manner of death for both incidents.
Community Response
As tensions rise over the safety of the facility, the community is pushing for answers. On Tuesday, activist Eric Hall was arrested at City Hall while demanding to speak with Mayor Randall Woodfin regarding the recent fatalities.
The Birmingham City Jail has long been a source of public concern. An ongoing federal lawsuit highlights allegations of neglect and inhumane conditions dating back to the death of Angela Karen Langley Kimberly in 2022. State Rep. Juandalynn Givan has since called for an urgent assessment of staffing and correctional procedures at the facility. For nearly two decades, the city has pursued alternatives to the aging jail system, though no permanent solutions have been enacted.
Memorial Details
TAKE invites the community to join the balloon release in honor of Croskey, scheduled for June 20 at 2:30 p.m. at 7128 Oporto Madrid Boulevard South in Birmingham. According to a Facebook post from the organization, attendees are asked to bring gold or white balloons to commemorate her spirit.
