With regard to the last custodial death mentioned in this series, the autopsy that finally came to light showed that the man’s death was a homicide. Abrasions speckled his chest and head. He suffered severe internal bleeding that caused his neck to swell. In addition, there were lacerations on his liver. Due to a backlog at the state medical examiner’s office, the results of the autopsy were greatly delayed.

All in all, the results of this comprehensive journalistic investigation show that greater accountability is called for, particularly when it comes to local city and county jails. Outside healthcare companies can now better be recognized as options for jails that can compromise the health of inmates because of a tendency to put profits ahead of inmate medical care.

All of the examples in this series of posts have been with regard to jails outside of Texas. In the Lone Star State, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has the responsibility of establishing minimum jail standards. The organization also enforces those standards, primarily by conducting annual inspections at every jail facility in Texas and by following up with non-compliant jails to ensure that every issue has been resolved.

Being arrested should never be a death sentence. Innocence until proven guilty is the backbone of American justice, and the rights of inmates are protected within the Constitution.

See Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of this 17-part series.

The purpose of this and all posts on this site is to provide injured workers in Texas with information that could be helpful. There is never an intention to make an implication that an individual, institution, or organization has been involved in wrongdoing of any kind.

–Guest Contributor