Harris County Jail Fails a Third 2024 Inspection
For the third time this year, Harris County Jail is listed as a non-compliant jail on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. The latest special jail inspection of the Houston, Texas, jail was conducted on December 16, 2024. With regard to a violation of the rule covering searches for contraband, which is in the chapter on the supervision of inmates, TCJS inspectors conveyed the following:
- Harris County officials self-reported that contraband had entered their facility. Upon review of a video provided, it was discovered that an inmate’s personal wheelchair had not been searched for contraband upon entry into the secure perimeter.
Contraband Potentially Caused Two Drug Overdose Deaths in Harris County Jail in December 2024
Before Harris County Jail underwent a December 16, 2024, special jail inspection, two inmates potentially died from an illicit drug overdose. On December 9, 2024, a 31-year-old fell onto the floor of his single cell and lay there motionless. He died that morning after being transported by ambulance to Ben Taub Hospital. Another inmate at Harris County Jail, a 62-year-old, died five days earlier on December 4, 2024, after being found in the same circumstances. In this first instance, however, the inmate was declared deceased inside the jail. Results of an autopsy are pending in both custodial deaths.
Contraband in Jails is a Widespread Problem
A publication by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice states that over the last five years, there has been a substantial increase in the volume of illegal narcotics entering the criminal justice system. Among the suggested strategies for reducing contraband is to enhance drug testing, including fentanyl, through the use of mobile drug testing applications.
There are many recent stories about an ongoing problem of contraband in county and municipal jails. The following are a few details about some of those stories, all of which made the news in November 2024:
- The Midland County Sheriff’s Office arrested four people for introducing contraband to Midland County Jail. Two of those arrested are charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midland, Texas, jail.
- A jailer in Clay County, Mississippi, has been accused of accepting money to provide cell phones, drugs, and other contraband to inmates.
- A defense attorney in Houston, Texas, has been charged on several counts, including providing a prohibited substance in a corrections facility. This arrest came after an investigation into multiple inmate deaths caused by fentanyl drug poisoning.
Looking for Help with Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Being incarcerated in a local jail does not mean your basic rights have been surrendered. If detainees are mistreated, such as being denied necessary medical care, it is essential to hold those responsible accountable.
Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that neglect contributed to their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered severe injuries because of negligence? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on custodial death cases and bring years of experience to provide effective legal representation.
We’re here to help 24/7. Reach out by phone, text, or through our online form to schedule a free consultation today.
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