Falls County, Texas Jail Cited
Falls County Jail in Marlin, Texas, has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for 14 alleged jail violations. Records show that, in recent history, Falls County Jail inspections have repeatedly resulted in citations for violations of minimum jail standards. Typically, Texas jails are cited for failing to comply with about 1 to 4 rules, on average. A total of 14 violations may not be unprecedented, but it is surely a reason for concern. Falls County Jail’s address is 2847 State Highway 6 in Marlin, Texas 76661. The bed capacity at the Marlin jail is 107.
A Custodial Death Occurs in Falls County Jail on 1/8/24
In a March 4, 2024, inspection report, TCJS inspectors left notes explaining the alleged deficiencies of Falls County Jail in connection with the 14 rule violations. The January 8, 2024, custodial death of an inmate appears to be the one referred to in several of those explanations in the lengthy jail inspection report. The notes of TCJS inspectors referring to the death or that could have made a significant impact on inmate care follow:
- The jail administration was unable to provide records of mental disability/suicide training of staff in accordance with the approved operational plan for Falls County Jail.
- The review of a custodial death revealed that the magistrate was not notified within 12 hours in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22.
- During the review of a custodial death, it was found that the CCQ was run approximately 18 days after intake.
- Observation checks of inmates are conducted late on a routine basis. The 60-minute observation checks of inmates were found to have been conducted anywhere from 1 minute to 59 minutes late. The 30-minute observations of at-risk inmates, such as those who are potentially suicidal, were found to be late by 1 minute to 1 hour and 17 minutes.
- Staffing records revealed that from December 2023 to February 2024, staffing levels for the facility exceeded the required 1 to 48 ratio approximately 10% of the time. Staffing levels were found to be as high as 1 to 58.
How Do These Jail Violations Potentially Harm Inmates?
During intake, the inmate who died in January 2024 at Falls County Jail appeared to be intoxicated and exhibited mental health problems. This information is indicated in the custodial death report (CDR) the Falls County Sheriff’s Department filled out about his death. Protections may have been denied because of the lack of attention to several minimum jail standards related to mentally handicapped detainees.
With 14 violations of minimum standards, there is an implication of possibly causing harm to inmates through jail neglect. The mention of the deceased inmate was connected to two follow-up procedures, mandates that were obviously intended to protect the interests of detainees with special needs.
Help is Available for Jail Neglect Cases
Our office is dedicated to helping with jail medical neglect and other jail neglect cases. If, possibly due to jail neglect, a loved one has died while incarcerated in a county jail anywhere in the U.S. or if you have sustained devastating injuries when you were in jail, contact us today. We can be reached 24/7 by phone call, text, or by filling out our online form.
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