Fifty-four-year-old Norma Barrera Avila died in the custody of Reeves County Jail in Pecos, Texas, on October 21, 2020. She died that same day. The autopsy report showed that chronic ischemic heart disease was the cause of Ms. Avila’s death.

Rule §265.3 – Observation During Holding

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) requires jail personnel to observe inmates confined in detoxification cells at intervals no longer than 30 minutes each.

Rule §275.1 – Regular Observation by Jailers

Observation of inmates is important for the entire jail population. More detail about the observations of inmates is included in Rule 275.1. Observations of the general population must be done at intervals that do not exceed 60 minutes. Inmates who are at risk because they are potentially suicidal or are known to be assaultive, mentally ill, or have demonstrated bizarre behavior must be observed every 30 minutes maximum. In addition, a two-way voice communication capability is required at all times between prisoners and jailers, bailiffs, licensed police officers, and designated staff. A new requirement that had a deadline of August 31, 2020, in all Texas county jails is to either have cameras or electronic sensors in place to record the personal observations required for high-risk inmates.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

Suggesting that any person or organization has participated in misdeeds is not intended on this website. The purpose of each of the posts on this site is to provide assistance to Texas prisoners now or previously held in a county jail.

–Guest Contributor