On September 16, 2022, Andres Alberto Villarreal-Salguero was booked into Travis County Jail. Eleven days later, on September 27, 2022, he died because of hanging himself in his cell. Mr. Villarreal-Salguero was only 30 years old. The address of Travis County Jail is 3614 Bill Price Rd in Del Valle, TX 78617.

Texas Jails and Noncompliance with Suicide Prevention Jail Standards

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducts annual jail inspections for each of the 239 county jail systems in Texas. When a jail is noncompliant, they are listed on the TCJS website, and they are required to correct areas of noncompliance within 30 days, as a general rule. Jails are also given a special jail inspection anytime there has been a custodial death in the facility.

Many of the jail standards contribute to suicide prevention efforts. Suicide is reportedly the #1 cause of death in local jails. The jails in Texas are frequently cited for failing to meet various requirements related to preventing suicide. Examples follow below and in the coming installments of this series.

Donley County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance in a February 2023 Jail Inspection Report

Suicide prevention is included in minimum jails standards in the chapter on Health Services under Rule §273.5~Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan. Donley County Jail was allegedly noncompliant with Rule §273.5(a)(2)~Identification. During intake screening, procedures include identifying inmates who are potentially suicidal and for compliance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22 and referrals to available mental health officials.

• The Donley County Jail staff is not filling out the screening form for suicide and medical/mental/developmental impairments in its entirety.

The goal of providing information on this website is to help Texas inmates who are now or have previously been prisoners in county or municipal jails in the state. Making allegations that entities or persons have been involved in wrongdoing is never an intention.

–Guest Contributor