Police Misconduct Lawyer – Pasadena, Texas – Marion County Jail in Texas is Cited for Two alleged Violations of Jail Standards
A Jail Inspection Report from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards was released for Marion County Jail in Jefferson, Texas, on August 1, 2017. One significant factor in these reports is that they can reveal dangers to inmates. There have been many custodial deaths and jail suicides in Texas and throughout the country that cause great concern. For instance, if a suicidal inmate isn’t checked routinely, there is a greater chance that he or she might succeed in finding a way to commit suicide by hanging. Many counties have had to pay settlements to families of those who died in jail as a result of non-compliance to jail standards. Sub-standard staff supervision and oversight are conditions known to result in higher levels of potential danger to inmates. Overcrowding can also lead to increased risk. The two issues for which Marion County Jail have been cited can both potentially make inmates less safe.
The first alleged violation of standards at Marion County Jail was that the jail exceeded capacity. The requirements are very specific. For instance, cells with multiple occupancy can contain up to 8 bunks with no less than 40 square feet of clear floor space for the first bunk and another 18 square feet of clear floor space for every additional bunk. According to jail inspectors, the capacity in six multiple occupancy cells was exceeded by one inmate per cell. Inspectors allegedly confirmed that this issue of crowding went on for each day of the past week plus for 12 of the past 30 days.
The second alleged violation of jail standards was that the jail failed to provide one jailer per floor of the facility where 10 or more inmates were housed at all times.
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