Brooks County Jail Again Violates a Life Safety Rule
Due to noncompliance, Brooks County Jail in Falfurrias, Texas, has recently been added to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. TCJS inspectors found that Brooks County Jail failed to comply with a life safety rule. In recent years, the jail has violated a life safety rule on each of three occasions in which the jail was found to be non-compliant. The TCJS inspector said the following about this latest violation, which was discovered during a May 21, 2025, jail inspection:
Although jail administration advised that emergency power tests need to be conducted weekly (non-load) and monthly (load test), it was discovered that Brooks County Jail failed to conduct the tests from February 2025 through May 2025.
Ostensibly, a jail’s repeated failure to comply with the same rules of jail operation suggests a possibility that there is some type of ongoing neglect or persistent indifference to rules designed for the best interests or protection of inmates, staff, and/or the public.
The Brooks County Detention Center is at 901 County Road 201 in Falfurrias, Texas 78355. The inmate capacity at the jail is 652.
A Michigan Jail Allegedly Demonstrates Horrendous Indifference to Inmates’ Needs
In March 2025 news, in alleged violations of constitutional rights, one inmate’s death and another’s amputations allegedly occurred as a result of the actions of the same Michigan jail. Disturbing details about alleged neglect and indifference to the needs of the two men follow:
John Griswold died less than 24 hours after being placed in Livingston County Jail’s custody on October 14, 2018. When Mr. Griswold was arrested, he told officials that he had taken about 10 pills from a large amount out in the open on his kitchen counter, but he couldn’t identify which ones. Once at the jail, a nurse evaluated him, and he was brought to St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital. A urine screen showed that amphetamines were in Mr. Griswold’s system, after which he was discharged and returned to the jail.
Mr. Griswold was placed in a cell, where it is alleged that he was clearly weak, unresponsive, and in roughly the same position for the remainder of his stay. Deputies failed to seek medical attention. After 13 hours in the cell, during which time he allegedly vomited all over himself, his clothing, and his cot, he was found deceased.
Jon Messer was arrested on July 12, 2021, as he was being rushed to the hospital. The driver was pulled over for not having a visible license plate. The officer ran Mr. Messer’s name and discovered that he had a felony warrant out for an alleged crime involving stolen property. The driver begged, on Mr. Messer’s behalf, to allow him to go to the hospital because he was in danger of needing further amputations on his left foot.
The officer, nevertheless, arrested Mr. Messer, and he was booked into the Livingston County Jail. Although the officer made note of his diabetes and foot injury, Mr. Messer did not receive medical attention for days. Though he did receive insulin and though his foot was “packed” by a jail nurse, nothing was done to help with the concern over the foot. His open wound was clearly visible and obviously infected, oozing, odorous, and turning colors.
After four days in the jail, a staff doctor saw Mr. Messer and recommended that he be “checked out.” Instead, he was brought to a hospital in the jail’s custody. The damage was already done, and Mr. Messer had to have his remaining toes on his left foot amputated, in addition to suffering other injustices.
Need Legal Support After Jail Mistreatment or Neglect?
Being jailed in a county or city facility does not mean giving up your fundamental rights. When inmates suffer harm—such as being denied critical medical care—those responsible must be held accountable.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a jail and believe that neglect or abuse played a role in their death, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. may be able to help. Our firm focuses on cases involving in-custody deaths and brings extensive experience to these sensitive matters.
Call, text, or fill out our online form anytime to arrange for a free case review.
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