Camp County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection
The Camp County jail recently failed an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). Therefore, the Camp County jail, in Pittsburg, Texas, is now listed as being non-compliant at the TCJS website. The TCJS notified Camp County Judge Mason and the Camp County Sheriff Cortelyou.
The TCJS inspector reviewed a random selection of 10 files at the Camp County jail. When doing so, in referencing the Camp County jail’s approved operational plan for classification, the inspector found that the Camp County jail had switched to an annual audit without submitting changes to the operational plan. Camp County jail administration had to update and submit a new proposed operational plan to the TCJS within the next 30 days.
Moreover, when the TCJS inspector reviewed inmate classifications for the Camp County jail, the inspector found numerous mistakes on initial assessments and reassessments. The TCJS inspector required Camp County jail administration to conduct documented remedial training with jail staff on the proper classification of inmates. Camp County jail administration had to do so within the following 30 days.
The TCJS inspector also found, when reviewing prisoner restraint logs, that observation checks were conducted outside the required 15-minute interval by as little as two minutes and by as many as 17 minutes on multiple occasions. It is extremely important that prisoners who are in restraints be checked at the appropriate interval, or more often as appropriate. If such checks do not occur, a prisoner could suffer serious injury or death. Likely, for these and possibly other reasons, the TCJS inspector required Camp County jail administration to conduct documented training with staff in their use of restraint systems and requirements outlined in TCJS minimum standards.
The TCJS inspector also found, when reviewing inmate medical files, that Camp County jail staff failed to notify a Judge within 12 hours on multiple occasions when warranted by affirmative answers on the Screening Form for Suicide & Medical/Mental/Developmental Impairments and positive returns on Continuity of Care Queries. Once again, Camp County jail staff had to conduct documented training with staff regarding notifying a magistrate.
Moreover, when the TCJS inspector was reviewing inmate medical files. The inspector determined that Camp County jail staff failed to complete the Screening Form for Suicide & Medical/Mental/Developmental Impairments in its entirety. Missing information included the screening officers name, inmates name, comments for affirmative answers, magistrate notification date and time, medical and mental health information date and time, and supervisors’ signatures when warranted. Once again, Camp County jail administration had to conduct documented training with jail staff within 30 days.
These violations are inexcusable. Our Texas law firm handles inmate county jail deaths all over Texas. It is vitally important that jails comply not only with TCJS minimum standards, but also logic and other well-known standards to avoid inmate injury or death.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone