Robert John Barela was booked into El Paso County Jail in El Paso, Texas, on February 10, 2022. He was found in his single cell hanging from the ceiling by a sheet on February 23, 2022. Medical staff members at the jail provided first aid until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) technicians arrived. The EMS technicians transported Mr. Barela to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on the same day.

Custodial death reports have been filed regarding the February 2022 suicide of six inmates. One inmate committed suicide in each of six Texas county jails. Hopefully, there weren’t any more than that last month, but there may have been. Jails have 30 days in which to file custodial death reports. Two non-suicide custodial deaths were reported for last month, as well. One of the inmates died of health issues. The cause of death of the other inmate is still unknown and the results of an autopsy are pending.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) regulates county jails. The Commission reported 124 inmate deaths in 2020, which was about 10 deaths per month. That was the highest count since TCJS began tracking custodial deaths in 2009.  

Journalists recently reviewed 415 custodial deaths that were investigated by the Texas Rangers. About 30% of those inmates committed suicide. What is known about custodial deaths in February 2022 is unlikely to be a reflection of the entire year, but if it were, the suicide rate would be more like 60%.

This website has no intention of implicating persons or institutions in misdeeds of any kind. Posts are provided to benefit inmates housed in Texas county jails, whether currently or previously incarcerated.

–Guest Contributor