Liberty County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection

Liberty County Jail is among the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. In a January 3, 2024, notice of noncompliance, Liberty County Jail was advised of the results of a jail inspection conducted on January 8, 2024. The Liberty, Texas, jail has been cited for violating three (3) minimum jail standards. The address of Liberty County Jail is 2400 Beaumont Ave, Liberty, TX 77575. The jail can house up to 285 detainees.

Rule §259.133 – Single Cells

Liberty County Jail has been cited for allegedly failing to comply with Rule §259.133 – Single Cells, which is in the chapter on New Construction Rules and Subchapter B, New Maximum Security Design, Construction, and Furnishing Requirements. Single Cells – Single cells shall contain not less than 40 square feet of clear floor space. Each cell shall have one bunk, toilet, lavatory, table and seating separate from the bunk.

During the investigation of complaint 35173, it was discovered that the Liberty County Jail had housed three (3) inmates in one single cell.

Rule §259.138 – Holding Cells

Liberty County Jail has been cited for allegedly failing to comply with Rule §259.138 – Holding Cells, which is in the chapter on New Construction Rules and Subchapter B, New Maximum Security Design, Construction, and Furnishing Requirements. One or more holding cells shall be provided to hold inmates pending intake, processing, release, or other reason for temporary holding. Inmates shall not be held for more than 48 hours and the cell shall include the following features.

During the investigation of complaint 35173, it was discovered that the Liberty County Jail had housed inmates in holding cells for more than 48 hours.

Rule §271.1 (a)(4) – Objective Classification Plan

In the jail inspection report, it is also indicated that Liberty County Jail was noncompliant with Rule §271.1 (d) – Objective Classification Plan; however, in the current Texas Administrative Code, the location of the rule cited in the report is Rule §271.1 (a)(4) – Objective Classification Plan. The Objective Classification Plan is in the chapter on the Classification and Separation of Inmates. Minimum and maximum custody-level inmates shall be housed separately. All other custody-level inmates should be housed separately. When under direct, visual supervision, inmates of different custody levels may simultaneously participate in work and program activities.

During the investigation of complaint 35173, it was discovered that the Liberty County Jail had housed inmates classified as minimum custody with inmates classified as maximum custody.

This is the second jail inspection posted on the current TCJS website. The jail was also cited following a jail inspection on August 1, 2023, when TCJS inspectors alleged that the jail violated two rules under the chapter on Health Services. One of the rules allegedly violated was about Health Records, and the other pertained to the Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan.

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