Tragically, on July 27, 2021, Christopher Luis Delarosa died in Austin, Texas, hours after he was booked into the Travis County Jail. He had initially been denied entry due to a low oxygen level. He was re-admitted soon after, having been at a nearby hospital for medical observation.

County jails in Texas are regulated by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). Health care services are integral to many activities within the jail. For instance, TCJS has approved the use of restraints when inmates are an immediate danger to themselves or others. Restraint chairs are among the approved restraint systems.

RULE §273.6-Restraints

The following are among the jail requirements with regard to inmates placed in restraints, including restraint chairs:

• Before anyone can be placed in a restraint such as a restraint chair, an authorized member of the jail staff must assess the medical condition of the inmate.
• After an inmate has been in a restraint for two hours, he or she must receive medical care. The protocol is that an opportunity to use the restroom facilities must be included as well as exercising the extremities, taking vital signs, offering liquids and food, and checking to determine whether medication is needed.
• Special considerations must be given to pregnant inmates, per the above-referenced rule.
• The maximum time frame in which an inmate can be held in restraints is 24 hours, though the TCJS guideline specify that an inmate should be removed from restraints when the threat of harm no longer exists.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.

The intention of posts on this website is to assist Texas county jail inmates. There is no intention to suggest that persons or entities have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor