A code blue medical emergency was called after Smith County Jail inmate Charlie Humphries had a seizure on the night of March 23, 2023. In an attempt to revive the 38-year-old, an automated external defibrillator (AED) was deployed and he received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For 30 to 35 minutes, emergency medical services (EMS) continued with lifesaving measures, and his pulse was restored. Smith County Jail is in Tyler, Texas.

Jail Inspection Report for Smith County Jail Dated 3/22-24/22

A comprehensive jail inspection was done at Smith County Jail from March 22 through 24, 2022. Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) cited the jail for 6 violations of minimum jail standards.

Rule §259.138(a)-New Construction

This was the same minimum jail standard the jail was cited for in February 2022. It states that inmates will not be held for longer than 48 hours in a holding cell.

• Reference was made to the February 25, 2022, special inspection report where inmates were held longer than 48 hours. Deficiencies still existed, it was noted during the comprehensive inspection.

Rule §271.1-Objective Classification Plan

In part (10) of Rule §271.1, the status of inmates confined to a violent cell shall be reassessed and documented at least every 24 hours for a continuance of status.

• It was determined that documented reviews of inmates placed in the violent cell are not being conducted every 24 hours for a continuance of status when placed in the violent cell for multiple days.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and this ongoing series.

This website is a resource for Texas prisoners in city and county jails. Making accusations that an individual or institution is a participant in wrongs is never intended.

–Guest Contributor