Eric Dominguez died at age 35 on December 16, 2021, in the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. He had been booked into the jail on November 28, 2021. The cause of his death is currently unknown and pending an autopsy.

Inmates in county jails in Texas have a right to necessary medical attention.  Neglect of medical care is the topic most complained about among prisoners in Texas, according to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The commission defines operational procedures for jails, and the guidelines include services for pregnant inmates.

When it comes to accountability for medical neglect in county jails, the annual jail inspections do not tend to pick up on this issue. Exceptions include medical documentation related to restraints. As far as simply receiving necessary medical care, it seems there is no documentation that inspectors review to establish, yes or no, whether prisoners get needed help. 

Oftentimes, it is only after an inmate has died or some other tragedy has occurred that facts and allegations about medical neglect come to light.

Such is the case with a woman who was incarcerated in a county jail in Texas in recent years. She was pregnant when she was booked into jail and began having troubles. She was bleeding, which is a red flag during pregnancies. The inmate asked to see a doctor. 

Learn more about the woman’s story in this continuing series.

Implying that anyone or any entity has been engaged in some type of wrongdoing is never intended on this website. The posts on this site purpose to provide helpful resources for Texas county jail inmates.

–Guest Contributor