Is Jail Neglect a Widespread Problem in Texas?-Pt.14
Washington County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance with a Requirement Related to the Medical Care of Inmates
Like Taylor County, Washington County Jail was cited this year for failing to comply with Rule §273.3- Health Instructions. The rule states that all medical instructions of designated physicians shall be followed. The TCJS inspector made the following note about Washington County:
- During the investigation of complaint #33777, it was discovered that medical provider orders were not followed. Medications and vital checks were not distributed or completed according to provider orders. Medications that were not distributed correctly were identified as “as needed” medications by the provider. However, documentation does not support this response. The additional provided information regarding vital checks indicates that these checks were not conducted as ordered.
Are Custodial Suicides a Possible Result of Jail Neglect?
Rickey Paul Smith was booked into Moore County Jail on July 25, 2021, at 3:03 a.m. He was placed in a single cell, where he was alone and was wearing a soft cast from an injury he had previously sustained. At 5:20 p.m. the next day, a corrections officer with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office discovered Mr. Smith hanging in his cell from a strap that was on his cast. The strap was connected to a half-wall partition inside his cell.
Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, and Part 13 of this continuing series.
Providing municipal and county jail detainees in Texas with helpful resources is one of this website’s purposes. Suggesting that a person or entity has engaged in wrongdoing is never intended.
–Guest Contributor
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