Is Jail Neglect a Widespread Problem in Texas?-Pt.21
Cameron County is Listed as Non-Compliant After a Custodial Death Continued
Cameron County Jail was cited for noncompliance in October 2023. The special jail inspection was scheduled in connection with a custodial death, but it doesn’t say the name of the detainee. Although he died in January of 2023, about 9 months before this inspection occurred, it seems that it may be referring to the death of 39-year-old detainee Johnny Gutierrez.
According to an inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), Cameron County Jail failed to comply with Rule §273.5(a)(1)- Training, which is in the chapter on Health Services. The training is an integral part of the suicide prevention strategy that TCJS has laid out through operational requirements for all county and municipal jails. If correctional officers in the jails are unfamiliar with signs that a detainee may be suicidal, for instance, a suicidal individual may not get the heightened supervision that potentially saves lives.
In this case, per the special jail inspection report, the windows of the single cells had coverings. The person conducting face-to-face observation checks did not lift the coverings to observe the inmates, though it was the purpose of making rounds.
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, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, and Part 20 of this 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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