Ector County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has recently listed Ector County Jail in Texas as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website. A Notice of Non-Compliance was issued on May 29, 2023. It specifies the minimum jail standards the jail was cited for in a special jail inspection report issued on May 25, 2023. TCJS inspectors allege that the Odessa, Texas, jail violated 2 minimum jail standards.

The address of Ector County Jail is 2500 US-385, Odessa, TX 79766. The jail has a housing capacity of 667 inmates. Details on alleged noncompliance follow.

Rule §273.5 (3)- Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan

Ector County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §273.5 (3)- Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan, Part (3) Communication. This rule is in the chapter about Health Services. The rule states that each sheriff/operator shall develop and implement a mental disabilities/suicide prevention plan, in coordination with available medical and mental health officials, approved by the Commission by March 31, 1997. The plan shall address the following principles and procedures: (3) Communication. Procedures for communication of information relating to inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal.

After a review of documentation of an in-custody death that occurred in February 2023, it was determined by a TCJS inspector that while medical noted the inmate was suffering from psychosis and MHMR would be notified, no such notification was made.

Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers

Ector County Jail was found to be non-compliant with the following rule in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates. Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers states that every facility shall have the appropriate number of jailers at the facility 24 hours each day. Facilities shall have an established procedure for documented, face-to-face observation of all inmates by jailers no less than once every 60 minutes. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined.

After a review of documentation and video evidence of an in-custody death that occurred in October 2022, it was determined that nine (9) face-to-face observations did not occur due to the inmate obstructing the view of the jailer by placing a sheet over the cell door. While the jailers made rounds within the mandated timeframe, the jailers did not view the inmate face-to-face as required

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