Hopkins County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has recently listed Hopkins County Jail in Texas as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website. A Notice of Non-Compliance was issued on November 27, 2023. It specifies the minimum jail standard the jail was cited for in a jail inspection report issued on November 16, 2023. A TCJS inspector alleges that the Sulphur Springs, Texas, jail violated one minimum jail standard.
The address of Rusk County Jail is 298 Rosemont St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. The jail has a housing capacity of 192 inmates.
Rule §259.134-Multiple Occupancy Cells
Rusk County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §259.134-Multiple Occupancy Cells, which is in the chapter on New Construction Rules and Subchapter B-New Maximum Security Design, Construction and Furnishing Requirements. The rule follows: Multiple occupancy cells shall contain two to eight bunks and not less than 40 square feet of clear floor space for the first bunk plus 18 square feet of clear floor space for each additional bunk. Each multiple occupancy cell shall have one toilet and lavatory. Multiple occupancy cells should not be provided in direct supervision facilities.
- Multiple Occupancy Cell A5 was over by 1 inmate who was housed on the floor from August 28, 2023, to September 15, 2023. The total population of the Hopkins County Jail was as high as 197 and as low as 193 during this time.
Overcrowding has become a widespread issue in county jails across the U.S. Overcrowding heightens the danger to staff and detainees. When detainees are overcrowded in jail settings, there is usually an increase in tension, stress, and inmate-on-inmate assaults. Detainees have increased physical contact and experience lack of sleep, and lack of privacy. Poor hygiene practices become more common. Overall, the quality of life is negatively affected for detainees in overcrowded conditions.
smchugh
smchugh