The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) now lists Jim Hogg County Jail in Texas as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website because of a failed special jail inspection. The jail inspection report is dated November 21, 2022, and signed by TCJS Inspector Wendy Wisneski.

TCJS cited Jim Hogg County Jail for two alleged minimum jail standards violations. The address of Jim Hogg County Jail is 211 East Galbraith, Hebbronville, TX 78361. Details on alleged noncompliance follow.

Alleged Noncompliance with RULE §273.5(a)3

RULE §273.5(a)3-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan. Communication. Procedures for communication of information relating to inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal.

• A custodial death was being reviewed and no documentation was found indicating that the magistrate had been notified either electronically or in writing about responses given to questions on the screening form for suicide and mental/medical/developmental impairments and an exact Continuity of Care Query (CCQ).

Alleged Noncompliance with RULE §273.2(12)

RULE §273.2(12)-Provide procedures that shall require that a qualified medical professional shall review as soon as possible any prescription medication an inmate is taking when the inmate is taken into custody. These procedures shall include providing each prescription medication that a qualified medical professional or mental health professional determines is necessary for the care, treatment, or stabilization of an inmate with mental illness.

• It was determined during the review of a custodial death at Jim Hogg County Jail that the inmate was taking prescription medication at the facility where the inmate was previously housed and this medication was listed on the Texas Uniform Health Status Update (TUHSU) form. The inmate also stated, as was documented on the screening form for suicide and mental/medical/developmental impairments that he was taking additional medication. There was no documentation to verify that a qualified medical professional reviewed this medication or that the inmate was receiving it.

It can be life-threatening when inmates are denied basic rights, such as the prescription medications they need. In addition, if procedures that address issues related to being potentially suicidal or mentally disabled are not followed, inmates can be placed at risk. Minimum jail standards help to ensure that inmates receive these types of basic care, which are sometimes essential protections against harm.