Harris County Jail is Found Non-Compliant by TCJS Yet Again

There are currently two Harris County notices of non-compliance on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website; there have been at least 14 such notices issued since 2020. The latest was sent on May 6, 2025, as a follow-up to a special jail inspection report issued on April 28, 2025. TCJS inspectors found that Harris County Jail violated one minimum jail standard. The inspectors’ note about the jail’s failure to follow procedures for prompt and efficient care for acute and emergency situations conveys the following:

During a complaint investigation, it was found that the inmate did not receive a medical evaluation after submitting an emergency request/sick call. The medical staff was unable to conduct an assessment at that time due to the absence of the jailer assigned to triage.

Harris County Jail’s address is 701 N San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77002. The jail system in Houston has a design capacity of approximately 9,434 beds for detainees.

A Woman Dies of Sepsis After Her Cries Are Allegedly Ignored

A 45-year-old woman died after incarceration in a U.S. county jail. Her family alleges that she had been suffering from severe abdominal pain, and her cries were ignored. She died on April 22, 2023, of acute sepsis and organ failure.

Any time sepsis is a detainee’s cause of death, it is reasonable to assume that it is a red flag signifying that timely medical care may have been denied. Although the symptoms of sepsis could be signs of other problems, they should not be ignored. Many times, when an individual dies from sepsis, it is determined that his or her death was preventable. Simply providing needed antibiotics is the action that was needed.

Jails Can Be Held Accountable for Medical Neglect

When someone dies in the custody of a jail and family members believe that medical negligence may have been involved, it is important to take action right away. Contact an attorney with experience in jail death cases to pursue justice. The Offices of Dean Malone has been focusing on these types of cases for years and has gained valuable experience in asserting families’ rights.

In a Texas county jail, a 43-year-old man died in December 2024. At the time of his death, sepsis was suspected because the hospital he was transported to treated him for sepsis and septic shock. After the autopsy was completed, the medical examiner wrote his opinion that the man died as a result of severe sepsis. An investigation would be required to determine whether there was negligence on the jail’s part that may have resulted in the detainee’s untimely death.

Need Legal Guidance After a Jail Tragedy?

Many incarcerated individuals with chronic health conditions are denied essential medical care while in custody—a troubling and often overlooked issue. If you’ve lost a loved one while they were held in a jail and believe medical neglect, abuse, or mistreatment may have been a factor, it’s critical to speak with an experienced attorney without delay.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. focuses on cases involving deaths that occur in custody. Our team has spent years pursuing justice for families affected by jail negligence, preventable suicides, and failure to provide proper medical care.

Call, text, or complete our secure online form today.

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