Mitchell County Jail Violates a Rule About Mentally Ill Inmates
Following a special inspection on October 31, 2025, the Mitchell County Jail in Colorado City, Texas, was cited for alleged violations of three minimum jail standards. As a result, the jail is now listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website among the other currently noncompliant jails. In addition, TCJS sent the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office a notice of noncompliance the day of the inspection.
The TCJS inspector conveyed the following about the alleged minimum standard violation of Rule §273.5(a)(1)-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan – Identification, which was incorrectly listed as 273(a)(1):
The mental disabilities/suicide prevention training of jail staff was reviewed, and staff found documentation to show that only 3 out of 11 staff members received the training during CY2024. No jailers had completed the training for CY2025 as of the close of the October inspection. Jail staff were advised that provisions for staff training (including frequency and duration) on the procedures for recognizing, supervising, documenting, and handling detainees who have mental disabilities and/or may be suicidal must be conducted in accordance with minimum standards.
Concerning Rule §275.2-Jailers Training and Licensing, the inspector found the following:
TCOLE Jailer Licenses were reviewed, and it was discovered that seven staff members were performing jailer duties without holding a valid license. The inspector also coordinated with TCOLE, which conducted a licensing audit to further assess non-compliance.
The TCJS inspector noted the following about noncompliance with Rule §285.1-Physical Exercise:
During the review of recreation logs, staff could not produce documentation indicating that inmates were offered recreation in September 2025, as requested by this inspector.
The first rule mentioned above is crucial for saving lives, ensuring humane treatment of mentally ill inmates, preventing legal and constitutional violations, reducing staff stress, and improving overall facility safety by equipping jail staff to:
- De-escalate crises,
- Provide proper care, and
- Reduce dangerous misinterpretations, fostering a safer, more compassionate environment for everyone.
The Mitchell County Jail is at 320 Pine Street, Colorado City, Texas 79512. The jail has a 99-bed capacity.
Legal Guidance for Families After a Jail Death
Incarceration in a local jail never strips an individual of their constitutional protections. Detention facilities are legally required to provide safe conditions of confinement and timely access to appropriate medical care. When jail staff fail to meet these obligations—through delayed treatment, neglect of serious medical needs, or other lapses in care—the results can be tragic and may give rise to legal liability.
Families who lose a family member while that person was in custody are often left with unanswered questions. If you suspect that inadequate medical attention, unsafe conditions, or jail abuse contributed to a death in jail, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. may be available to provide assistance. Our firm concentrates on custodial death cases and works to uncover the facts, review medical and custodial records, and determine whether constitutional standards were violated.
We are committed to helping families understand their legal options and pursue accountability when preventable failures occur inside correctional facilities. You can contact our office at any time—day or night—by calling, texting, or filling out our secure online form to request a free case review.
Additional information for families is available on our website. Visit the “Resources” section and select the Jail Deaths Family Guide to learn more about what to expect and the steps that may follow after a loss in custody.
smchugh
smchugh