Jesus Hernandez Dies in El Paso County Jail on the 19th Day
At age 51, Jesus Ruben Hernandez was booked into El Paso County Jail. He went through intake on May 5, 2024, and only lived another 18 days. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Hernandez on May 23, 2024, the day of his death. The address of the El Paso County Jail is 601 E. Overland, El Paso, TX 79901. The jail is also known as the El Paso County Detention Facility, and it has a bed capacity of 1,000.
The CDR about Mr. Hernandez indicates that he was discovered unconscious and not breathing in multi-occupancy cellblock 310 at about 4:27 am on May 23. Lifesaving measures began, with officers and medical staff performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The El Paso Fire Department arrived, and Mr. Hernandez was transported by ambulance to Las Palmas Medical Center. At 5:33 am, just over an hour after Mr. Hernandez was discovered unresponsive in El Paso County Jail, Dr. Marco Diaz, a medical physician, pronounced Mr. Hernandez deceased.
Inmates Have a Right to Be Protected Against Suicide
The rate of suicide is more than two times higher in jails than in the rest of the population. Suicide is the leading cause of death of inmates in county and municipal jails. The requirement to provide staff training in suicide prevention is an important one. Jails, prisons, and correctional staff have an ethical and legal duty to protect the individuals in their custody from acts of self-harm, including suicide.
Not only during intake but throughout incarceration, the following are warning signs of a potentially suicidal inmate that correctional officers should be alert for:
Making threats or statements about killing or harming themselves
- Looking to obtain a means with which to complete suicide
- Exhibiting uncontrolled aggression or anger
- Talking, drawing, or writing about wanting to die
- Unable to sleep or sleeping excessively
- Withdrawing socially
The following are some of the stressors unique to the correctional environment that often increase the likelihood of a detainee attempting suicide:
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Loss of friends and family
- Cruel treatment by jail staff
- Fear of not being safe
- Difficulties with other inmates or correctional staff
Timing is Important When it Comes to Suicide Prevention in Jails
Suicide statistics in jails show that there are certain times when detainees are most at risk for suicide. During the intake process and within the first 24 hours, a substantial number of suicides occur in jail–recent statistics have shown as much as 22%. The statistics in a report on local jail suicides between 2010 and 2019 showed that 66% occurred within the first 30 days of incarceration, and 44% occurred within the first 7 days. The fewest suicides in local jails occurred between 6 am and noon compared to other times of the day.
Do You Need Help with Possible Jail Neglect?
County jail inmates do not lose their constitutional rights because they have been incarcerated. When life-altering injuries or death occur due to jail neglect, we at the Law Offices of Dean Malone are interested in defending the rights of inmates and their families. It’s important to contact us as quickly as possible for the purpose of gathering evidence. Schedule a free case review 24/7 by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.
smchugh
smchugh