Is Jail Neglect a Widespread Problem in Texas?-Pt.16
Are Custodial Suicides a Possible Result of Jail Neglect? Continued
A 37-year-old detainee at Llano County Jail was discovered hanging in his cell on June 8, 2023. Although lifesaving measures began quickly, they were unable to revive him. A special jail inspection was conducted the following month, and an inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) discovered that Llano County Jail failed to comply with Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers. This rule requires jailers to make face to face observations in certain intervals, as follows:
- Every facility shall have the appropriate number of jailers at the facility 24 hours each day. Facilities shall have an established procedure for documented, face-to-face observation of all inmates by jailers no less than once every 60 minutes. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined.
The inspector’s notes follow:
- A review of documentation and video after a custodial death revealed that while jailers made observation rounds, the jailers did not view the inmate face to face as required by minimum jail standards.
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, Part 14, and Part 15 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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