While Catarino Humberto Rodriguez-Borjon was incarcerated in Midland, Texas, at Midland County Jail, he suffered a head injury. He was transported to a nearby hospital but, tragically, died on March 7, 2021.

Continuing this series, the following are more of the minimum jail standards regarding disciplinary actions that can be taken in Texas county jails. Texas Commission on Jail Standards establishes these operational standards.

CHAPTER 283- DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCES; RULE §283.1 – Inmate Discipline Plan Continued

Jails have due process requirements for taking disciplinary action. TCJS requires provisions to be made for the following actions:

• A disciplinary hearing before an impartial and neutral board or officer, but it cannot include anyone who is involved in the claimed charges or violation.
• In a facility of 50 capacity or less, one person may be on the disciplinary board. With regard to minor infractions, disciplinary hearings may be conducted by a disciplinary officer.
• The disclosure of evidence against an inmate charged with a violation, although protection to confidential informants may be invoked.
• An inmate shall have an opportunity to be heard in person and to present documentary defensive evidence when not unduly dangerous to correctional goals and institutional safety.
• An inmate should be permitted to seek the help of another inmate if the inmate is illiterate and in the event the issue is complex, and it is unlikely that the inmate would be able to collect and present evidence necessary for adequate comprehension of the case. If this is not allowed, substitute aid from the staff or an inmate designated by the staff shall be provided.

Learn more in Part 1 and this ongoing series.

This post is intended as a source of help for inmates in Texas county jails. On this website, there is no intention to imply that institutions or persons have engaged in wrongs.

–Guest Contributor