On November 8, 2021, Johnny Ray Ximenez died in Live Oak County Jail in George West, Texas. He was 54 years old. The cause of death is still unknown, but some information on the custodial death report is helpful, such as that Mr. Ximenez was not in restraints prior to his death.

Restraint Chairs 

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sets forth the rules for county jail operations. The guidelines for utilizing restraint chairs are included. Requirements for using restraint chairs are detailed under the chapter on health services. Medical personnel and supervisors are the only individuals, for example, who are supposed to authorize placing an inmate in one of these restrictive devices.

In the portion of the rules for county jails housing adults, mandatory steps related to restraint chairs are no different than for all of the other types of restraint systems. 

RULE §273.6–Restraints

Part (2) of this rule states that the type of restraint system used on an inmate must be one that restricts the inmates’ movements only to the extent necessary to get him or her under control. The rule even states that padded or soft types of restraints should be used whenever it is feasible. Another requirement is that no one should be restrained in a manner or position that would worsen any physical ailments that the inmate may be suffering from.

Learn more in Part 1 of this continuing series.

It is never an intention on this website to make an implication of wrongdoing having occurred on the part of individuals or institutions. In providing posts on this site, the hope is to provide helpful resources benefiting inmates in Texas county jails.

–Guest Contributor