Lavaca County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection
Lavaca County Jail is among the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. In a November 29, 2023, notice of noncompliance, Lavaca County Jail is advised of the results of a jail inspection conducted on November 28, 2023. The Hallettsville, Texas, jail has been cited for the alleged violation of one minimum jail standard. The address of Lavaca County Jail is 38 FM 318 Hallettsville TX 77964. The jail has a 48-bed capacity.
Lavaca County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance with Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers
Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers is in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates, as follows:
Every facility shall have the appropriate number of jailers at the facility 24 hours each day. Facilities shall have an established procedure for documented, face-to-face observation of all inmates by jailers no less than once every 60 minutes. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined.
- The TCJS inspector’s note on noncompliance says, “During the review of an escape, it was determined the inmate went unobserved for over 60 minutes before it was determined he was missing.”
The supervision of detainees is known to be the most important component in suicide prevention programs. However, preventing escapes is another reason to ensure that jails comply with minimum jail standards providing the guidelines for the supervision of detainees.
— Guest Contributor
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