Ector County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance After a Custodial Death Continued

Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers

Ector County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers, which is 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.

• After a review of documentation and video evidence of an in-custody death that occurred in October 2022, it was determined that nine face-to-face observations did not occur due to the inmate obstructing the view of the jailer by placing a sheet over the cell door. While the jailers made rounds within the mandated time frame, the jailers did not view the inmate face to face as required by minimum jail standards.

To learn more, 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, Part 15, and Part 16 of this continuing series.

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–Guest Contributor