Jared Jon Bell was an inmate at Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas, when he committed suicide on February 9th, 2022. The custodial death report prepared by the Travis County Sheriff’s Department shows that Mr. Bell exhibited mental health problems. Yet, he was allegedly left alone in a cell with a phone that has a phone cord long enough that he was able to use it to take his own life. 

Travis County Jail has a record of compliance with the minimum jail standards that mandate jail operations. For instance, in 2017, the jail was recognized for passing jail inspections for 10 consecutive years. 

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) is the entity that establishes operational standards for Texas county jails. Failure to provide the required level of supervision is far too common among other Texas county jails, though even the most recent alleged incident of non-compliance at Travis County Jail is with regard to a different issue. Namely, on a jail inspection report dated May 26th through 28th, 2021, TCJS inspectors cite the Austin jail for alleged failure to allow the required amount of physical exercise and physical recreation.

Failing to protect an inmate from suicide is always a great concern. In fact, custodial suicides are almost always considered to be preventable deaths. Every custodial death is investigated by the Texas Rangers and TCJS.

See Part 1 and this continuing series.

Implying that individuals or institutions have participated in wrongdoing is never intended on this website. The posts on this site are meant as helpful resources of benefit to Texas county jail prisoners.

–Guest Contributor