A Midland County Detainee Dies After Denying Food for 10 Days-Pt.5
Midland County Jail’s staff had detainee John Michael Soza transported to Midland Memorial Hospital on September 25, 2023. He was admitted to the hospital. Over the next three weeks, Mr. Soza experienced several episodes in which his heart stopped beating and he was then resuscitated. On October 15, 2023, Mr. Soza’s heart failed again, and he was declared deceased after efforts to revive him failed.
Midland County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance Twice in 2023
Midland County Jail was cited for noncompliance with minimum jail standards in March and October of 2023. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sets the operational guidelines for Texas municipal and county jails. One of the rules that inspectors with TCJS found that Midland County Jail failed to comply with was related to the use of a restraint chair.
Restraint chairs are approved for use by TCJS when detainees in local Texas jails are exhibiting behavior that could cause harm to themselves, others, or jail property. Also, all of the less restrictive types of restraints must have been found to be insufficient to get the situation under control.
It is widely recognized that restraint chairs can be deadly. Manufacturers’ instructions name various hazards related to the chairs. The following are examples of manufacturers’ warnings about restraint chairs:
- Caution: Violent behavior may mask dangerous medical conditions. Detainees must be monitored continuously and provided medical treatment if needed.
- Use of a restraint chair without reading and understanding instructions can lead to serious injury or death. Anyone using the chair should read the manufacturer’s instructions.
See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.
Providing help to municipal and county detainees in Texas is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention on this site to accuse any person or institution of unlawful activity.
–Guest Contributor
smchugh
smchugh