At age 31, Felipe Viviano Garcia entered Nueces County Jail on August 2, 2021, and died within four hours. The custodial death report indicates that Mr. Garcia created a struggle by exhibiting resistive behavior. His death occurred after he was placed in an ambulance and was en route to a nearby hospital.

If inmates in Texas county jails exhibit behavior that could hurt themselves or others, the jail staff is permitted to use a restraint system to detain the inmate. Various restraint devices have been approved by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The guidelines for restraints specify that the restraint used must be the least restrictive while still getting the inmate under control. The choice of restraint devices must be documented with an explanation of the reason for going with that option.

Restraint Chairs

TCJS has approved the use of restraint chairs in county jails in Texas. This is the most restrictive type of restraint device. When a person is strapped into a restraint chair, their wrists and ankles are immobilized. There are also straps around the chest and lap areas.

According to an investigative report on deaths associated with restraint chairs in a state outside of Texas, jailers often strap in inmates who are either severely intoxicated or experiencing a mental health crisis.

In this ongoing series, learn about allegations of wrongdoing with regard to the use of restraint chairs made by inmates outside of Texas who will remain anonymous.

There is no intention on this website to suggest that individuals or entities have participated in improprieties. Each post is added for the purpose of helping Texas inmates who are now or were previously incarcerated in a county jail.

–Guest Contributor