Conditions were Dehumanizing

In a county jail outside Texas, an inmate described solitary confinement for those with suicidal ideations. They were not provided with sheets or clothing other than a smock. The cells are small and are equipped with a thin plastic mattress. During cell checks, a jailer would repeatedly shine a flashlight in his face. He described the experience as dehumanizing. After the inmate’s first time in solitary resulting from telling a clinician he was depressed, he routinely lied about the state of his mental health to avoid being returned to isolation.

It is the widespread practice of U.S. jails and prisons to isolate inmates, frequently for disciplinary infractions. But isolation has long been associated with higher rates of suicide and incidents of self-injury.

In a period from January 2015 through April 2019, there were 688 attempts at suicide in the jails and prisons of that state, and 43% happened in solitary confinement. Overall, the suicide rate in special housing units is five times higher than in the jails and prisons in the state overall.

“Keeplock” Confinement Status

After a 22-year-old with mental health problems died of suicide in a county jail outside Texas, an investigation found several problems with regard to his treatment or lack of it in the jail. Learn more in the next segment. Also see 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, Part 14, and Part 15 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