Cynthia Garcia died on April 1, 2022, in the custody of Kleberg County Jail in Kingsville, Texas. The custodial death report (CDR) indicates that, prior to her death, she had been transferred from the jail to a hospital at 1311 General East Cavazos Blvd. in Kingsville, TX 78363. The CDR also indicates that Ms. Garcia died of natural causes, and the medical cause is pending toxicology results.

Violent Cell

The Texas Administrative Code lays out the minimum jail standards set by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). Under Rule §253.1-Definitions, (33) defines a Special Purpose Cell as a violent cell, detoxification cell, separation cell, holding cell, medical cell, and negative pressure cell. Under (35) of this rule, a Violent Cell is defined as a single-occupancy padded cell for the temporary holding of inmates harmful to themselves or others. Violent Cells are often used to temporarily house inmates on suicide watch. Padded jail cells are useful for de-escalation purposes.

Among the reasons a padded cell system might be used in a Texas county jail is that an inmate:

• May be a suicide risk or self-harm risk
• Has violent anger issues
• Goes through significant detox from drug or alcohol abuse
• Engages in other behaviors that pose a potential threat to the jail staff or the inmate

When it is necessary to reduce or remove potential risks to individuals, padded cell systems are great options.

Learn more in this continuing series.

There is no intention on this website to suggest that any person or institution has participated in misdeeds. The posts on this site aim to benefit inmates now or formerly incarcerated in county jails in Texas.

–Guest Contributor