Martin County Jail TX Violates 4 Inmate Safety Rules
Martin County Jail was inspected by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on January 19, 2024. Inspectors say the Stanton, Texas, jail failed to comply with four minimum jail standards. The non-compliance notice is currently posted on the TCJS website.
Alleged Violations
Life Safety Rules. Three of the alleged violations involve life safety rules, such as training jail staff to handle emergencies. One of the violations has to do with fire prevention. Per minimum jail standards, quarterly fire hazard and fire prevention inspections are required. Yet, TCJS inspectors found that none were completed in the first three quarters of 2023. The third life safety rule that Martin County Jail violated concerns weekly and monthly load tests conducted on power equipment. Specifically, the facility generator was inoperable throughout December 2023.
Regular Observations by Jailers. The fourth rule is important, also. It requires face-to-face observations of inmates every 60 or 30 minutes. This personal supervision is the best-known protection against suicide and other types of harm that come to county jail detainees. Yet, inspectors found that the staff at Martin County Jail waited 1 to 60 minutes longer than the times required to personally check on inmates.
How Does This Violate a Prisoner’s Rights?
Prisoners have a right to protection against life-threatening conditions. In the event of a dire emergency, it is not difficult to imagine that untrained jail staff may not be equipped to handle the situation properly. If a fire were to occur, for example, the prisoners would likely not be able to take necessary evasive actions to save their own lives. Inmates can also be endangered if a facility generator fails in extreme weather conditions.
Prisoners have a right to protection against harm, whether caused by themselves or others. Frequently across the United States a lack of proper face-to-face checks was associated with jail deaths. Because supervision is the most effective way to prevent suicides, it is essential to at-risk prisoners.
Non-compliance is Linked to an Inmate’s Death
The Denton County jail was cited for non-compliance with Rule §275.1-Regular Observations by Jailers, the same as Martin County Jail. In Denton’s case, the August 28, 2023, inspection was conducted because a custodial death had occurred. TCJS inspectors noted that, during the period in which an inmate died, the jailers failed to view the detainee face-to-face as required. Twenty-seven-year-old Heath Aaron Vandeventer was likely the detainee this note was about. He was placed under suicide precautions when he was booked into the jail because he refused to answer questions. Mr. Vandeventer died in Denton County Jail in September 2023.
Are You or a Loved One a Victim of Jail Neglect?
Do you believe that, while in jail, you were a victim of jail neglect? For example, denial of medical care is commonly reported in U.S. jails. Did a loved one die in jail and you think it was because of negligence on the jail’s part? If so, feel free to call or text us or complete our contact form. Whether this happened in Texas or another state in the U.S., we will help if we can.
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