In August of 2022, the Runnels County Jail was sent a Notice of Non-Compliance letter. Details continue below on the alleged violations of minimum jail standards that the Ballinger, Texas, jail was cited for by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).

Non-Compliance Under §273.6(3)-Restraints

The minimum jail standard in §273.6(3)-Restraints requires jailers to make frequent face-to-face observations of inmates who have been placed in restraint devices. Specifically, they must be observed every 15 minutes. Inmates are not to be restrained in a manner or position that would cause any existing physical infirmities to be worsened.

• The TCJS inspector found that, on multiple occasions, observations of inmates held in restraints were conducted between 1 to 25 minutes later than the maximum 15-minute time frame.

Many news stories have revealed potential dangers associated with restraints. The minimum jail standards in Texas related to using restraints on adults apply to every type of restraint that has been approved by TCJS for use in city and county jails.

The safety of inmates is at risk when they are in restraints without required supervision. Part of each face-to-face observation involves checking to ensure that the blood circulation to extremities has not been cut off. The inmate’s condition must be evaluated for the purpose of ensuring that he or she is conscious and breathing, as well.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and this continuing series.

For the purpose of providing helpful resources to detainees in local Texas jails, this website was established. There is no intention of making accusatory statements about entities or individuals.

–Guest Contributor