Leon County Jail in Centerville, Texas, is Cited for Non-Compliance with Rule §275.4

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) established Rule §275.4 and all minimum jail standards. These standards serve as operational guidelines for county and municipal jails in the state. Rule §275.4 pertains to jail staff and the supervision of inmates. The rule states specifics about the number of jailers for a set number of inmates. On each floor where 10 or more inmates are housed, there must be no fewer than 1 jailer per 48 inmates.

In addition, Rule §275.4 requires jailers to provide visual supervision and fill out attending documentation in increments not to exceed every 60 minutes. Sufficient staff shall be provided to perform required functions, including jailers, supervisors, and other essential personnel as approved by the Commission. The rule goes on to state that TCJS can require staffing in excess of minimum jail requirements when it is deemed necessary to provide a suitable, safe, and sanitary facility.

Per a Jail Inspection Report regarding a July 2022 inspection of Leon County Jail, the Centerville detention facility allegedly failed to meet the requirements in Rule §275.4 and was therefore cited for non-compliance.

• A TCJS inspector conducted an investigation into a complaint about overcrowding, and it was discovered that Leon County failed to meet the 1:48 ratio of staff to inmates.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 of this continuing series.

Texas inmates now or previously incarcerated in a city or county jail can find helpful resources on this website, including all posts. There is never an intention on this site of accusing institutions or persons of engaging in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor