Burleson County Jail is Cited After an Inmate’s Death
Burleson County Jail in Caldwell, Texas, was recently added to the list of non-compliant jails on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. A day after an August 26, 2024, special jail inspection at the Caldwell jail, a notice of non-compliance was sent. TCJS inspectors found that two minimum jail standards were violated in connection with a custodial death at Burleson County Jail.
The TCJS inspector noted the following regarding Rule §273.2-Health Services Plan:
- Following a custodial death at Burleson County Jail, the Medication Administration Records (MARs) were reviewed. Rather than administering a medication twice daily, as the physician ordered, it was given only once per day. Another medication that a physician indicated should be administered each night was not provided at all.
Burleson County Jail also violated Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers, allegedly in connection with a custodial death:
- After a Burleson County Jail detainee died, a review of the video showing observation rounds revealed that they were not conducted according to minimum jail standards. On five (5) occasions, the jail staff did not conduct a face-to-face check of the inmate.
Burleson County Jail’s address is 1334 Highway 21 E. in Caldwell, Texas 77836. The jail has a bed capacity of 96.
How Important is Jail Supervision?
When Texas jails are inspected, it is often discovered that there has been at least one failure in regard to the supervision of detainees. As shown above, Burleson County Jail was cited for failing to conduct face-to-face checks as required. Lack of supervision according to minimum jail standards can have tragic consequences. From inmate-on-inmate violence to an inmate experiencing a medical emergency to a detainee attempting to commit suicide, supervision is the most important element of prevention.
Burleson County Jail Recently Failed to Provide Suicide Training
On September 26, 2023, a jail inspection revealed that Burleson County Jail violated one of the requirements under the suicide prevention plan. Inspectors’ notes revealed the following:
- Out of 14 total jail staff, 4 did not complete the annual suicide prevention training as required by the Burleson County operational plan for the jail.
Suicide prevention should be a top priority in local jails because it is the leading cause of death in that environment. Jail staff training is essential because the staff are the ones who usually have the best opportunity to prevent an unnecessary death by suicide. Without training, important detainee protections could be denied. The most common method in which jail inmates commit suicide is by hanging, and death by hanging takes only a few minutes.
Need Assistance with Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Being held in a county or municipal jail doesn’t mean losing your fundamental rights. When detainees suffer mistreatment such as denial of medical care, it is vital that those responsible are held accountable.
Have you lost a family member in a Texas jail and believe neglect played a role in their death? Or perhaps you were previously incarcerated and sustained serious injuries due to negligence? If so, we may be able to assist. The Law Offices of Dean Malone is committed to handling custodial death cases, drawing on years of experience to offer dedicated legal representation.
We are available 24/7. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form to arrange a free case evaluation.
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