Hardin County Jail is Found Noncompliant After an Inmate’s Death
Hardin County Jail in Kountze, Texas, has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for a violation that is potentially associated with a custodial suicide. The special jail inspection was conducted on February 26, 2024. It makes a general reference to a custodial death. On January 1, 2024, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about a 34-year-old inmate who committed suicide on Christmas Day 2023. Hardin County Jail’s address is 300 W Monroe Street in Kountze, Texas 77625. The bed capacity at the Kountze jail is 196.
Hardin County Jail is Cited for a Breach in Inmate Observations
The TCJS inspector’s note on the February special jail inspection report indicates that the last observation round conducted before the discovery of the inmate exceeded 30 minutes. This indicates that the inmate referred to was deemed to be at risk. Otherwise, observations would have been required every 60 minutes.
The most important deterrent for suicidal inmates is supervision, according to extensive research. Jailers conduct face-to-face checks of potentially suicidal detainees every 30 minutes maximum. In the CDR filed by Hardin County that may be linked to this inspection, the summary shows that the male inmate did not make any suicidal statements when he went through intake. However, he was found unresponsive in his single cell from a suicide attempt by hanging. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered, and the detainee was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where a physician pronounced him deceased.
Suicide is the #1 Cause of Death in U.S. Jails
Incarceration significantly increases the potential that a detainee may attempt suicide, especially if a person is detained in a small jail. Suicides in the nation’s smallest jails occur at rates more than six times higher than in the largest jails. This is because many risk factors are associated with confinement in correctional facilities, such as the following:
- The shock of confinement
- Fear of losing position or respect in the community
- They often lose their job and housing
- A basic sense of normalcy is lost
Sadly, many inmates commit suicide before they have been convicted of a crime. Possibly the most dangerous factor for at-risk detainees is isolation. Despite this fact, the usual practice in Texas jails and other jails throughout the country is to place suicide inmates in a single cell, which means a one-person cell. Regular face-to-face observations of inmates are among the most important of the suicide prevention strategies in jails.
Have You Suffered Greatly or Has a Loved One Died Due to Jail Neglect?
Jails can be held accountable if it is determined that their neglect has been the cause of a death or an inmate’s life-altering injuries. Our office routinely handles cases of jail neglect and jail medical neglect. Legal experience with these types of cases can make all the difference in the outcome. Contact us if a family member has died or if you have suffered severe harm due to jail neglect. Reach out today by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.
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