Dawson County Jail is Cited for 2 Minimum Standard Violations
A notice of non-compliance was issued to Dawson County Jail on July 7, 2025. Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) completed a special jail inspection on that same date. They determined that Dawson County Jail violated 2 minimum jail standards. These deficiencies were about the classification of inmates and the proper handling of suicide and mental health screening procedures. The inspectors’ notes for each follow:
- Inmate classification files were reviewed, and it was discovered that 2 inmates were booked in on assaultive felonies, but the classification officers failed to specify the felonies.
- Suicide/mental health screening forms were reviewed, and it was determined that Dawson County Jail staff on 2 occasions failed to notify the magistrate within 12 hours as required by C.C.P. 16-22 for yes answers on the form, which require immediate magistrate notification. In one instance, mental health was not notified as required by the form. The notifications were 4 to 12 hours late.
Getting the classification of inmates right can mean the difference between life and death. Brandt Diaz, 39, was held in Florida’s Lee County Jail on June 10, 2025, on non-violent charges. When Mr. Diaz was hours away from his release, an accused murderer was placed in his cell.
His new cellmate brutally attacked Mr. Diaz while he was sleeping. He was severely beaten and suffered acute injuries. He survived, but his nose was nearly bitten off, his jaw was fractured, he may lose an eye, and he suffered the dislocation of his Adam’s apple. Thankfully, Mr. Diaz didn’t lose his life, but his quality of life has been forever altered.
The address of the Dawson County Jail is 400 South 1st Street, Lamesa, Texas 79331. The jail has a bed capacity of 54.
An Inmate in Dawson County Jail Dies of Drug Intoxication
Jose Saul Cruz Jr. was arrested for public intoxication and then booked into Dawson County Jail at 2:45 a.m. on November 5, 2022. Tragically, he died at 11:12 p.m. the same day. Mr. Cruz was placed in a detox cell. The custodial death report (CDR), in the summary of how the death occurred, reveals that during the booking process, Mr. Cruz appeared to be very fidgety and anxious. These are symptoms of acute methamphetamine intoxication, which ultimately was Mr. Cruz’s medical cause of death.
Several sources on treatments for acute methamphetamine toxicity indicate that, when the drug is forcibly withdrawn due to incarceration, it is best managed by a team of healthcare workers. There are lifesaving treatments, including sedatives or anti-anxiety agents. A recent study found that a safe and effective treatment for adults with severe methamphetamine use disorder is to administer a combination of oral bupropion and injectable naltrexone.
The CDR doesn’t mention that Mr. Cruz received any treatment as he was going through detox. It appears that medical services weren’t called for until he was found unresponsive.
Skilled Legal Support for Jail Negligence Cases in Texas
If someone you care about died while in a Texas jail—whether due to neglect, abuse, or lack of proper medical attention—it’s important to have experienced legal counsel on your side. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we represent families who have lost loved ones in custody due to jail neglect.
You can reach out to us around the clock. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation by phone, text, or through our secure online contact form.
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