Newton County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection
Newton County Jail is among the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. In a December 4, 2023, notice of noncompliance, Newton County Jail was advised of the results of a jail inspection conducted on November 29, 2023. The Newton, Texas, jail has been cited for the alleged violation of two minimum jail standards. The address of Newton County Jail is 110 Court St, Newton, TX 75966. The jail has a 14-bed capacity.
Newton County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance
Rule §259.138 (a)- Holding Cells
Newton has allegedly been noncompliant with Rule §259.138 (a)- Holding Cells, which is in the chapter on New Construction rules. The rule states that 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. The TCJS inspector made the following note about noncompliance:
- During the inspection, 6 inmates were found to be housed in holding cells from 4 days up to 20 days.
The furnishings inside holding cells do not include places to sleep. There is also less space per detainee than in holding cells as compared with cells where detainees are housed.
Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers
Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers is in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates. The rule requires that 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. There shall be a two-way voice communication capability between inmates and jailers, licensed peace officers, bailiffs, and designated staff at all times. Closed circuit television may be used, but not in lieu of the required personal observation. Electronic sensors or cameras capable of recording the required personal observations of inmates in high-risk cells or groups of cells shall be installed no later than August 31, 2020.
- The TCJS inspector noted that due to the current intercom system not working properly, two-way voice communication cannot be achieved.
The required two-way voice communication is intended to serve as a security system and an alert system. Inmates are monitored with these systems, and they provide a way for detainees to request help.
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