Is Jail Neglect a Widespread Problem in Texas?-Pt.15
Are Custodial Suicides a Possible Result of Jail Neglect? Continued
Lifesaving measures were used in an effort to resuscitate Rickey Paul Smith. The jail medical staff used cardiopulmonary resuscitation to try to revive Mr. Smith. Then the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from Moore County Hospital District continued with lifesaving measures. However, those attempts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced deceased at 5:48 p.m. on July 26, 2023.
A special inspection was conducted at Moore County Jail on September 6, 2022. Afterward, the jail was cited for noncompliance with Rule §265.3. The rule states that Inmates confined in a holding cell or detoxification cell shall be observed by facility personnel at intervals not to exceed every 30 minutes. The TCJS inspector made the following note about their findings:
- A review of video submitted after a custodial death revealed that while the inmate was in a holding cell, he was not observed multiple times over several hours prior to his death.
It is widely understood that direct supervision is the most effective way in which to curtail suicide attempts in jails. When the members of a jail staff do not conduct the required face-to-face observations of detainees, tragedy is more likely to occur. Most suicides occur within the first 24 hours to two weeks of incarceration. This is no doubt something jailers are made aware of in suicide prevention training.
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, Part 13, and Part 14 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
smchugh
smchugh