Inmates Escape Texas Jail After Lack of Observation
Fannin County Jail in Bonham, Texas, has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for violating one jail standard. The escape of two inmates prompted the special jail inspection, which was conducted on February 2, 2024. It was discovered that the two detainees were unobserved for 2 hours before jailers realized that they were missing. Fannin County Jail’s address is 2389 Silo Rd, Bonham, TX 75418. The inmate capacity at the Bonham jail is 528.
What are Inmate Observations?
TCJS requires frequent observations of inmates in municipal and county jails in Texas. During these observations, every detainee is observed face-to-face by a jailer at staggered times. In other words, the face-to-face checks are supposed to occur at different intervals within the time allotted. The general population is observed at least every 60 minutes. At-risk inmates are observed at least every 30 minutes, though some facilities require 15-minute observations of suicidal detainees. Some jails refer to 15-minute checks as “special watch rounds.”
Face-to-face observations by jailers should not be “like clockwork” because if they were, inmates would know exactly how long they have before a jailer will come again. This staggering of times is important for suicidal inmates because it discourages confidence in getting the tragic deed done.
How Important are Observations of Suicidal Inmates?
Suicide rates in jails are significantly higher than the rates for the general population in society. A significant number of jail inmates who died by suicide were not previously recognized as potentially suicidal.
In a study of suicide prevention policies in jails, it was found that few inmates successfully take their own lives while they are on suicide precautions. When detainees succeed in committing suicide, the most likely causes are related to observations, as follows:
- The required face-to-face observations were not performed.
- The level of observation was not sufficient compared to the level of suicide risk, such as a detainee who is at a high risk for suicide being placed on a lower level of observation.
Since many inmates in the general population in jails are suicidal, statistically speaking, the observations are also crucial for that group.
The Overall Importance of Inmate Observations
It is assumed that there is a good probability that the recent escape of two inmates at Fannin County Jail would not have happened if observations had been conducted within the required time frame. Therefore, inmate observations conducted at the correct times help to prevent escapes. Detainees are also prevented from engaging in self-harm when jailers conduct observations according to TCJS requirements. Violence against other inmates is reduced when observation checks are correctly performed.
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