Identification of Mentally Disabled and/or Potentially Suicidal Inmates

Five additional jails among those found in noncompliance in 2020 failed to properly complete intake screening procedures in compliance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22, though each of the following was specifically cited because referrals to available mental health officials had not been made. Details on notes made by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to each of the five jails cited follow or continue in the next segment of the series:

1. During the review of inmate medical files, it was discovered that the screening form is not being completed in its entirety by the jail staff. This same deficiency in following jail standards was cited in the annual inspection report for 2019. Areas observed to be incomplete include:
   • Screening time
   • Comments to “Yes” responses
   • CCQ match responses
   • Notification of mental health officials–dates and times
2. The Screening Form for Suicide and Medical/ Mental/ Developmental Impairments is not being filled out in its entirety by jail staff. In addition, notifications to available mental health officials are not being made.
3. Although it was an area in which the jail received technical assistance during the 2019 annual inspection, jail staff members are not completing the Screening Form for Suicide and Medical/ Mental/ Developmental Impairments in its entirety.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and this ongoing story to learn more about non-compliance of standards in Texas jails.

The purpose of this and all posts on this site is to provide information. No intention exists as far as inferring that any individual or entity has engaged in wrongdoing of any kind.

–Guest Contributor