From 2001 to 2019, local jail suicides increased by 13%, state prison suicides increased by 85%, and federal prison suicides increased by 61%, according to data from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Some experts have concluded that the pandemic heightened mental anguish among detainees because of increased periods of isolation, confinement to cells during outbreaks, and suspension of visitations when separation from loved ones hit especially hard.

“Jails are Plagued with Violence and Neglect”

An inmate facing 25 years to life was told he was being sent to a jail notorious for corruption and violence. He said that he considered committing suicide because he had heard about the jail’s reputation. When he went there, studies show that half of the inmates at that time had been diagnosed with mental health issues. In an 11-month period in 2022, at least 12 people reportedly died in that jail from confirmed or suspected suicide or overdose deaths. Commenting, the inmate said that the environment was unsafe and the trauma of mental health problems was worsening.

He also provided details about alleged abuse within the jail, saying that the staff didn’t see them as human beings.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, and Part 14 of this continuing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of suggesting that people or organizations have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor