Harris County Jail Fails 12th Inspection since 2020

Front of Jail Cell

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted a special jail inspection at Harris County Jail on January 13, 2025, and found a violation connected to a custodial death. This is at least the 12th time since 2020 that the Houston, Texas, jail has been listed among other non-compliant jails on the TCJS website. On this latest occasion, the rule that Harris County Jail allegedly violated involved inmate supervision. The following was conveyed in the TCJS inspectors’ note about the violation:

After a custodial death in the Harris County Jail, county officials self-reported that face-to-face observations had not been conducted as required. Video was provided and reviewed, showing that the observation rounds were conducted within the timeframe mandated by minimum jail standards. However, face-to-face observations were not completed as required.

The address of Harris County Jail is 701 N San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77002. The various Harris County Jail facilities have a total inmate capacity of 9,575.

Lack of Supervision Can Result in Inmate Suicides

Suicide is the leading cause of inmate deaths in U.S. jails. Supervision is recognized as the best deterrent to suicide. Therefore, it is always cause for concern when jails are cited for violations related to face-to-face observations. Jails can be held accountable if detainees commit suicide as a result of some type of jail fault. The following are brief stories about U.S. jails facing scrutiny after custodial suicides occurred.

A New Jersey jail was found guilty of negligence in the jail suicide death of a man with a documented risk of suicide. An investigation found that, through negligence, he was cleared for housing with the general population. The man was placed in an occupied single cell and had to sleep on the floor. Guards missed several clear signals of potential suicide, including: The cell door being closed by the deceased, which triggered a light to alert the staff; and a sheet being used over the cell door window, preventing face-to-face observations.
A 22-year-old man died by suicide in an Illinois county jail. In the four months he was incarcerated, he repeatedly expressed suicidal ideation. It was discovered that during the time the young man hung himself, a correctional officer assigned to conduct face-to-face observations had left his post without first asking for backup.

Looking for Support After Jail Abuse or Medical Neglect?

Being held in a Texas jail does not mean losing your fundamental rights. When inmates face abuse or medical neglect, it’s essential to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that their death was due to inadequate medical care? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered serious injuries because of neglect or mistreatment? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we concentrate on cases involving custodial deaths and leverage our experience to advocate for justice in these challenging situations, which include inmate suicides.

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