Lawyer Dean Malone Interviewed About Investigations of Deaths in Texas Jails

An investigation by KERA and the Fort Worth Report revealed that the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has failed to comply with the Sandra Bland Act, which requires independent investigations into all jail deaths.

Since 2021, the Sheriff’s Office has listed the Fort Worth Police Department as its outside investigator — but police confirmed they only reviewed the sheriff’s internal files instead of conducting independent investigations. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has since determined this practice violates state law.

Civil rights attorney Dean Malone, who represents multiple families in Texas jail death cases, called the situation “appalling.” He emphasized that sheriffs have no political incentive to expose problems within their own jails and warned that investigating deaths years later cannot provide meaningful accountability.

Malone also noted that Texas Rangers have historically handled such investigations and often uncover crucial evidence that allows families to seek justice for their loved ones. He urged the state to restore transparency and ensure future jail deaths receive truly independent reviews as required by law.

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