While evading arrest, Charles Nicholas Norris was shot and killed by a deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in San Antonio, Texas, according to the custodial death report filed about his passing. Mr. Norris was 38 years old at the time of his death.

When inmates in county jail settings are behaving in a manner that threatens their own safety or the safety of others, a restraint device can be used to mitigate the situation. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has approved the use of a variety of restraint devices. Restraint chairs are among the devices available to county jails in the state. Unfortunately, there have been numerous reports that restraint chairs are hazardous. Many custodial deaths have been associated with restraint chairs. The following is an example from outside of Texas.

A Tragic Death in a Restraint Chair

The tragic story of an inmate outside of Texas has been made public through a prison-related publication. The prisoner, tragically, died while in a restraint chair. The following is a summary of what happened.

In October 2013, a prisoner who had been accused of serious crimes began beating his head against the toilet and wall in his cell. In response, a video shows that eight guards went to the man’s cell. The inmate was known to be mentally ill with violent tendencies. A deputy reportedly punched the inmate at least 12 times in the stomach.

Eventually, the inmate was strapped into a restraint chair, and a football helmet was placed on his head. The inmate was almost entirely immobilized in the restraint chair. Blood was dripping down his face. He was left alone in the cell while strapped in the chair. He continued banging his head against the wall.

Having not received any medical attention, the inmate was found dead in the restraint chair within two hours.

Learn more in this ongoing series.

It is not intended on this website to make an implication that any person or entity has participated in improprieties of any sort. Assisting inmates in Texas county jails is the purpose of every post on this site.

–Guest Contributor