Adelaido Adrian Diaz died at age 55 in the custody of the Pharr Police Department. He entered the police holding facility at 12:00 AM on April 12, 2021. The custodial death report on Mr. Diaz shows that he struck his head on the concrete floor for undetermined reasons, suffered a severe head injury, and died that same day at 6:56 AM.

Custodial deaths occur for many different reasons. It is, however, a responsibility of county jails in Texas to follow minimum jail standards that help to protect inmates and meet their needs. Inmates booked into Texas jails often have serious and potentially life-threatening issues before stepping through the doors. From medical problems to addiction and mental health, inmates frequently arrive with special needs.

Guidelines provided by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) show that appropriate care of inmates is foundational. The following is pertinent information under TCJS, Chapter 273 in the Texas Administrative Code.

RULE §273.2 – Health Services Plan

Every county Texas jail must develop and implement an approved plan for health services. The following are among the services that must be provided:

• Medical, dental, and mental health care
• Distribution of prescriptions per written instruction from a doctor
• Long-term and convalescent care necessary for disabled inmates
• Prompt, efficient care necessary for disabled inmates
• Learn more in this ongoing series.

On this website, it is never intended to imply that any persons or entities have engaged in wrongdoing. It is in the hopes of helping a current or former inmate incarcerated in a county jail in Texas that posts are added to this site.

–Guest Contributor