Cassis Griffin Dies in Williamson County Jail After 3 Months

Cassis James Griffin was booked into Williamson County Jail on April 23, 2024. Tragically, Mr. Griffin died in the jail’s custody three months later on the day of his 45th birthday. A custodial death report (CDR) was filed by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department on August 8, 2024, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Gleason.

Pertinent details in the summary of how Mr. Griffin’s death occurred begin with his complaining of fatigue, loss of appetite, and a sore throat on July 23, 2024. Mr. Griffin was moved to a single cell or one-person cell in the infirmary so that medical personnel could monitor his condition. About 52 hours later, at 2:07 PM, Corrections Officer (CO) J. Abernathy was making an observation check and discovered that Mr. Griffin was unresponsive in his cell.

Lifesaving measures quickly began, and before long, Mr. Griffin was transported to emergency care at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital in Round Rock, Texas. Hospital staff were unable to stabilize him, and Mr. Griffin was pronounced deceased in the emergency room at 3:55 PM on July 25, 2024. His cause of death is unknown. Results of an autopsy are awaited.

The address of Williamson County Jail is 306 W 4th Street in Georgetown, Texas 78626. The jail has a 1,128-bed capacity.

Are Some Jail Inmates at Risk for Suicide More than Others?

Suicide prevention is among the duties of Texas jails. Jail staff are supposed to receive ongoing training about how to prevent suicides because they are the ones who keep close watch on inmates. Suicide is the leading cause of death in U.S. jails. The rate of suicide in jails is nearly three times higher than in the general public or in prisons.

Statistics from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that individuals charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) may have an increased risk of suicide ideation and suicide attempts. The relationship between suicide and DWI was generally observed regardless of the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption.

A recent study showed that there are 80 suicide attempts for every fatal suicide within a correctional facility.

How Do Jail Inmates Attempt Suicide?

In a study on suicide in local U.S. jails, the vast majority of local jail inmates who died by suicide did so by means of suffocation, including by hanging and self-strangulation. More than half of all jail suicides occurred within the first month of incarceration, and approximately 22% of the suicides happened within detainees’ first 24 hours in jail.

Could You Be a Victim of Jail Neglect?

Jails are entrusted with the duty to care for all detainees under their supervision. If you were incarcerated in a Texas jail and experienced severe, life-changing injuries due to neglect—such as inadequate medical care—reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone. With extensive experience in advocating for inmates’ rights, we are here to support you if we can. If you believe a loved one passed away in a Texas jail due to neglect, we may be able to assist you as well. Our dedicated team focuses almost entirely on cases involving jail deaths, including jail suicides.

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