El Paso County Jail Fails a Special Jail Inspection for the Third Year in a Row
The El Paso County Jail is one of the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. During a special jail inspection of the El Paso, Texas, jail, TCJS inspectors discovered non-compliance in connection with a custodial death. Inspectors’ notes indicate the following with regard to the alleged violation of RULE §275.1–Regular Observation by Jailers under the chapter on the supervision of inmates:
- A Guard One Scanner report was provided after a custodial death, and it revealed that while 55 observation rounds were conducted, one was 1 hour and 37 minutes late, equating to three missed rounds.
This latest failed special inspection marks the third year in a row that the El Paso County Jail violated minimum jail standards in connection with a custodial death. The inspectors’ notes follow for 2023 and 2024, respectively:
- It was revealed through the review of video and documentation for a custodial death that the jailers failed to notify medical staff of the need for possible acute and emergency care of the now-deceased inmate.
- It was discovered during the review of video and documentation after an inmate’s death that while observation rounds were made, the jailers did not view the inmate face-to-face, which is the requirement of minimum jail standards.
The address of El Paso County Jail is 601 E Overland Ave, El Paso, TX 79901. The bed capacity in the El Paso County jail system is 2,800.
What Can Happen When Observation of Inmates is Neglected?
In the month just before the latest failed jail inspection of El Paso County Jail, two inmates died in circumstances indicating that delayed help could have been the difference between life and death. Details about both detainees follow:
- A 72-year-old detainee in a single cell who had made suicidal statements during the intake process was discovered unconscious and not breathing on January 23, 2025. After being transported to the Las Palmas Medical Center, he was pronounced deceased that same day at 9:16 PM. His cause of death was unknown and is pending the results of an autopsy report.
- A 30-year-old inmate in Cell 1R of cellblock 60 was discovered with lacerations to both of his arms on January 25, 2025. He had apparently used a knife to cut himself. He lost consciousness while lifesaving measures were being rendered. After being transported by ambulance to University Medical Center, the man experienced multiple episodes of cardiac arrest and was pronounced deceased five hours after he was found bleeding in his cell.
Experienced Legal Help for Jail Medical Neglect
If you believe a loved one lost their life in a municipal or county jail due to neglect, abuse, or inadequate medical care, it’s essential to seek legal guidance from a team with experience in these complex cases. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are dedicated to representing detainees and their families, particularly in cases involving wrongful deaths in custody. Call, text, or complete our online form to see if we can help with your case.
smchugh
smchugh