Continuing with details from the custodial death report (CDR) about Wise County Jail detainee Raymond Harold Martinez. On July 25, 20232, at approximately 6:25 AM, Mr. Martinez did not get up for breakfast. Jail staff checked him and found him breathing heavily and lying with his eyes open. The off-duty medical officer was notified and responded to evaluate Martinez. The medical officer noted that Mr. Martinez had glassy eyes and responded to attempts to communicate with him with groaning noises. His blood pressure was found to be low. Wise County emergency medical services (EMS) were requested. Upon their arrival, Mr. Martinez was transported via ambulance to the Wise Regional Hospital Emergency Room. Mr. Martinez was admitted to the hospital, and he died on July 24, 2023, at age 70. The manner of death was “natural” and the cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver.

Wise County Jail is Found Noncompliant With 5 Minimum Jail Standards Continued

Wise County Jail was found noncompliant with Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates. Every facility shall have the appropriate number of jailers at the facility 24 hours each day. Facilities shall have an established procedure for documented, face-to-face observation of all inmates by jailers no less than once every 60 minutes. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined.

• Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) found that jail staff was not conducting face-to-face observations of all inmates no less than once every 60 minutes as required. Staff was also not conducting observations at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined. The overages ranged from 1 to 15 minutes past the requirement in both areas.

Also, see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this five-part series.

One of the purposes of this site is to help local Texas jail detainees and their families by providing helpful information. There is never an intention of suggesting that a person or organization has participated in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor