The Garza County Jail in Post, Texas, failed a jail inspection conducted by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), per a September 27, 2022, letter issued by TCJS Executive Director Brandon S. Wood. The Honorable John Lee Norman, Garza County Judge, and Garza County Sheriff Terry Morgan were both notified. Garza County Jail’s address is 412 E 15th St, Post, TX 79356. Garza County Jail is now listed on the TCJS website as a Non-Compliant Jail.

The TCJS inspector made notes regarding non-compliance under §273-Health Services and §275-Supervision of Inmates. Subsequently, TCJS cited Garza County Jail for non-compliance with §273.3- Health Instructions; §273.5(c)(1)-Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities History Check; and §275.2-Jailers Training and Licensing

The TCJS inspector randomly selected and reviewed 10 files. He also interviewed staff and inmates, reviewed training records, and reviewed policy. When the medication administration records (MARS) were reviewed, the inspector, on several occasions, was unable to verify that medication was distributed to each inmate per the orders of the prescribing physician. He found that new jailers, on several occasions, failed to document when inmates received or refused each individual medication prescribed. A recommendation was made that the command and medical staff routinely review the MARS to ensure accuracy. For the next 60 days, a copy of the completed MARS sheets will be scanned and emailed to this inspector each Friday.

When the inspector was reviewing inmate Suicide and Medical/Mental/Developmental Impairment screening forms, he found that on two occasions the Magistrate was not notified of a positive CCQ match. In one instance, the Magistrate was not notified within 12 hours, as required by minimum jail standards. Staff was advised to conduct training with all staff regarding magistrate notification requirements in accordance with CCP 16.22. The inherent liability to the county regarding discrepancies in suicide screening forms and magistrate notifications was discussed with staff. Follow-up is required on this deficiency. Each Friday for the next 30 to 90 days, staff will scan and e-mail suicide screening forms to the inspector. In addition, staff will provide the inspector with documentation showing that training has been conducted in both the areas of CCP 16.22 and the completion of the Suicide and Medical/Mental/Developmental Impairment screening forms.

The inspector reviewed a random sample of 19 officer TCOLE certification records. He also reviewed officer documentation and interviewed staff. A deficiency was noted. It was determined, during the review of TCOLE Jailer’s licenses, that Jaydin Morales PID# 529333 did not have a Temporary Jailer’s License as required by minimum jail standards. Further investigation found that Mr. Morales began working on the floor on September 14th, 2022, and worked a total of seven days without a license. The inspector contacted TCOLE and found that the background confirmation form was not emailed to TCOLE prior to sending the L-1. It was explained to the staff that Mr. Morales could not work in the capacity of a jailer without at least a temporary jailer’s license. Staff was instructed to ensure that a jailer does not begin to work on the floor unless they are listed in TCLEDDS. The follow-up for this deficiency was to notify the inspector when Mr. Morales obtains a temporary jailer’s license.

These violations could result in inmate injury or death. Compliance with TCJS minimum jail standards is crucial to the well-being of inmates.