RULE §273.2 – Prescriptions for Inmates

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) requires that each jail devise and implement procedures for handling prescriptions of inmates. The rule seems straightforward and difficult to misinterpret, as seen below:

• Rule §273.2 (7) plainly states that the distribution of prescriptions should be implemented according to doctors’ written instructions. The person distributing the medications should be designated by the sheriff or the appointed jail operator. 
• Rule §273.2 (6) indicates that procedures for controlling, distributing, securely storing, inventorying, and disposing of prescriptions are required, in addition to the same actions for needles, syringes, and hazardous waste containers.
• Rule §273.2 (12) states that, as soon as possible, a qualified medical professional must review any prescription medications that an inmate is taking when he or she is brought into custody.

Based on the consistently high quantity of complaints against Texas jails regarding denial of medical care, it appears that two things may be missing as far as making certain that inmates receive their prescriptions as instructed by a physician. 

1. First, perhaps further training of jail staff members is needed so that the importance and significance of taking prescriptions according to a doctor’s instructions is fully understood. 
2. Secondly, it seems that accountability is missing with regard to maintaining minimum jail standards pertaining to not only prescriptions, but medical treatments needed– medications and/or treatments sometimes required to prevent an inmate’s death.

Learn more in Part 1 and this ongoing series.

Intimating that any person or entity has been a participant in wrongdoing is never intended on this website. Each post is meant as a resource to help inmates who are currently or have previously been held in a Texas county jail.

–Guest Contributor