Jail Neglect Attorney Dean Malone Interviewed Regarding Deaths at Dallas County Jail

The Dallas County Jail passed its second Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspection of 2024 — a notable improvement after years of noncompliance. Sheriff Marian Brown praised the result as a reflection of staff accountability and progress within the department.

However, civil rights attorney Dean Malone, who has represented multiple families in jail death cases, urged caution in interpreting the findings. He explained that the commission can choose to mark a jail compliant even when serious issues are noted under “technical assistance.”

Malone highlighted that despite previous litigation over a water intoxication death, the jail has shown no clear policy changes to prevent similar tragedies. He confirmed his firm is litigating a second case and aware of a third death linked to water intoxication — a rare and troubling pattern across Texas jails.

Malone emphasized that these cases often involve detainees with severe mental illness who require close monitoring and medical care. While Dallas County has passed inspections, he said lasting accountability depends on implementing safeguards that protect vulnerable inmates from preventable harm.

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