Two days before 62-year-old Duane Audwin Durley passed away in the custody of the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in Beaumont, Texas, he was transported to Baptist Hospital. According to the custodial death report (CDR) about him, Mr. Durley had been complaining of pain in his legs, feet, and chest. He was admitted as a patient and assigned to room #432, which is in the hospital’s North Tower. Mr. Durley passed away there at 1:05 pm on November 12, 2022.

Jefferson County Jail Fails a 2017 State Inspection

In a Special Inspection Report dated October 17, 2017, the Jefferson County Jail was cited for four alleged violations of minimum jail standards.

Alleged Violation of Rule §265.3-Observation During Holding

Jefferson County Jail was cited for an alleged violation under the chapter entitled “Admission.” Rule §265.3-Observation During Holding requires jailers to observe inmates face-to-face in intervals not to exceed every 30 minutes when the inmates are confined in a detoxification cell or a holding cell.

• The inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) states that after carefully reviewing the video submitted by the jail, it was discovered that inmates were not observed every 30 minutes in the detox/holding area, as required, on the date in question.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

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–Guest Contributor