Twenty-four-year-old Shamond Titas Lewis was booked into Dallas County Jail in Dallas, Texas, on September 22, 2022. He became unresponsive while in a restraint chair the next day, according to the custodial death report (CDR) about him. Later, also on September 23, Mr. Lewis was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, for treatment. There, a physician pronounced him deceased at 6:48 PM on September 29, 2022.

Factors to Consider when Deciding Which Restraint to Apply

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has approved the use of various restraints that can be used on inmates in county and municipal jails. Within the jail, the restraints are approved for use to prevent an inmate from harming others, causing self-harm, or causing damage to property.

Different jurisdictions have different rules about restraints, especially from state to state. A county in Oregon has posted details associated with the use of restraints—more details than can easily be found with regard to Texas restraint chair rules. For instance, there are specific factors a deputy must consider when deciding which restraints to apply to inmates. However, the scenarios for placing restraints on inmates, in these instances, is when the inmate is outside the perimeter of the jail, court holding area, or cell or housing area. The least restrictive restraint that will secure the inmate should be used.

The following are factors to be considered when selecting the restraint to apply to an inmate:

• Segregation status
• Classification of the inmate
• Physical and behavioral health, which refers to the inmate’s demonstrated behavior, including pregnant inmates
• Destination and purpose of the escort or transport
• Current charges, bail amount, and potential sentence
• The expected level of contact with the public
• Escape risk

Learn more in this ongoing series.

Helping county and municipal jail inmates in Texas is this website’s purpose. There is no intention on this site of accusing people or entities of wrongdoing.

–Guest Contributor