Midland County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance
Following an inspection that took place from March 25-26, 2024, Midland County Jail was cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for two alleged jail violations. One pertains to physical exercise for inmates and the other involves the serious matter of observation of the detainees. Midland County Jail’s address is 400 S Main St, Midland, TX 79701. The bed capacity at the Midland jail is 800.
Inmate Observations are Linked to Jail Deaths
Is the matter of inmate observations important for the prevention of death in jails? Yes. Without looking at any other statistics, this fact can be proven by perusing the results of special jail inspection reports that were follow-ups to custodial suicides and other deaths in Texas jails. Observation violations have also been connected to detainee deaths in which the cause of death was unknown or for medical reasons.
The Tragic Death of an Inmate
After an inmate died in Young County Jail in Graham, Texas, TCJS inspectors conducted a special jail inspection in May 2023. The jail has a 144-bed capacity and is located in Graham, Texas. After the inspection, Young County Jail was cited for two alleged violations of minimum jail standards. The inspector’s notes on the jail inspection report indicate that jailers had not observed the deceased inmate face-to-face as required. It also says that the inmate should have been observed every 30 minutes due to the reported mental health and behavioral issues he demonstrated.
Suicide prevention in jails has a multi-pronged approach that begins as soon as a person goes through intake. The training jailers are required to go through advises them that suicide is the number one cause of death in jails. They must be alert at all times to possible clues that an inmate is suicidal. Of the many strategies for suicide prevention, direct supervision is the most effective deterrent. The observations of inmates are the primary ways in which supervision is accomplished.
The Importance of Supervision of Inmates
In an article on the benefits of supervision in jails, several points make a strong case for keeping inmates safer by maintaining face-to-face observations. Stronger inmates are less apt to assault and abuse weaker inmates when a jailer is present or observing them. Contraband getting into jails is far too common, and jailers can often save lives if they are aware of medical emergencies such as overdoses. Also, of course, suicides can be prevented by providing the required oversight.
Has a Loved One Died from Possible Jail Neglect?
After a detainee dies in jail, the family members will often demand to know if their loved one suffered from medical neglect. They will have heard, for instance, that prescription medications weren’t dispensed to them properly. Perhaps they were aware that cries for medical care were ignored repeatedly. If an inmate’s death follows these types of situations, the facts of the case should be explored as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of Dean Malone has years of experience representing the families of detainees who died in jail. Whether in Texas or elsewhere in the U.S., contact us today if you suspect that some type of jail neglect resulted in the death of a loved one. You can reach us 24/7 by phone, text, or by completing our online form.
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