After inmate Hector Lopez fell to the floor, all corridor personnel responded to Code 1 and saw that Mr. Lopez was breathing. He later appeared to have stopped breathing, and a deputy began applying chest compressions. The incident was upgraded to a Code 1 Blue (medical emergency), and several medical staff members at Bexar County Jail responded. They took lifesaving measures.

Rule §273.5(a)(1)-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan-Supervision

The February 2019 jail inspection report also shows that Bexar County Jail violated Rule §273.5(a)(1)-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan-Supervision.

Training. Provisions for staff training (including frequency and duration) on the procedures for recognition, supervision, documentation, and handling of inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal. Supplemental training should be provided to those staff members responsible for intake screening.

• The administration was unable to provide training records to confirm that the detention officers received suicide prevention training in accordance with the approved operational plans.

Special Inspection Report for Bexar County Jail on May 8, 2019

The previously mentioned inspection at Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas, dated in February 2019 was followed up by a special jail inspection on May 8, 2019. At that time there was one violation, and it was a repeat violation.

Bexar County Jail again was found to be noncompliant with Rule §275.1-Supervision of Inmates-Regular Observation by Jailers. This rule requires 60-minute observations of prisoners except for at-risk inmates who are, for instance, potentially suicidal must be observed every 30 minutes. TCJS inspector Wendy Wisneski made the following note:

• After reviewing documentation provided by the administration at Bexar County Jail, it was determined that the jail staff exceeded the 60-minute face-to-face observations by as much as 119 minutes.

See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of suggesting that people or organizations have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor