Texas Commission on Jail Standards Designates Agencies to Investigate Custodial Deaths

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has recently taken significant steps to enhance the transparency and accountability of investigations into deaths occurring in county jails. On April 2, 2025, TCJS released a list of law enforcement agencies appointed to independently investigate such incidents, marking a pivotal move in ensuring impartiality in these sensitive inquiries.​Kera News+3tcjs.state.tx.us+3Texas Jail Project+3

Details of the Recent Appointments

The TCJS has appointed various external law enforcement agencies to investigate deaths in county jails across Texas. The appointments, along with the respective counties and dates of death, are as follows:​

• Ector County: Date of Death – March 1, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 12, 2025)​tcjs.state.tx.us+1Kera News+1

• Bexar County: Date of Death – March 1, 2025; Appointed Agency – Bexar County Constable Precinct 2 (Appointed on March 12, 2025)​

• Bastrop County: Date of Death – March 8, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 12, 2025)​tcjs.state.tx.us+1Kera News+1

• Madison County: Date of Death – March 8, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 12, 2025)​

• El Paso County: Date of Death – March 9, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 12, 2025)​

• Dallas County: Date of Death – March 11, 2025; Appointed Agency – Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office (Appointed on March 13, 2025)​Kera News

• Williamson County: Date of Death – March 18, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 19, 2025)​tcjs.state.tx.us+1Kera News+1

• Cooke County: Date of Death – March 20, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 20, 2025)​

• Taylor County: Date of Death – March 23, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on March 24, 2025)​

• Lubbock County: Date of Death – March 27, 2025; Appointed Agency – Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit (Appointed on March 31, 2025)​

• Brazos County: Date of Death – March 31, 2025; Appointed Agency – Texas Rangers (Appointed on April 2, 2025)​

These appointments are in accordance with Section 511.021 of the Texas Government Code, which mandates that TCJS appoint a law enforcement agency, other than the local agency operating the county jail, to conduct investigations into inmate deaths. Kera News+2Texas Attorney General+2Kera News+2

Background and Legislative Context

The initiative for independent investigations stems from the Sandra Bland Act, enacted in 2017, which requires that deaths in county jails be investigated by an external law enforcement agency to ensure unbiased examinations. However, compliance with this mandate has faced challenges. For instance, reports have indicated that the Tarrant County Jail had been investigating its own custodial deaths, contrary to the stipulations of the Sandra Bland Act. ​Texas Jail Project+5Texas Attorney General+5Texas Jail Project+5tcjs.state.tx.us

Furthermore, there have been instances where the Texas Commission on Jail Standards did not fully adhere to the law’s requirements. An article from the Texas Jail Project highlighted that the commission had not complied with the custody death investigation law for seven years, allowing sheriff’s offices to choose their investigating agencies, which undermines the law’s intent for independent scrutiny. ​Kera News+2Texas Jail Project+2Texas Jail Project+2

Implications and Moving Forward

The recent appointments by TCJS represent a concerted effort to rectify past oversights and reinforce the integrity of investigations into jail deaths. By designating external agencies, the commission aims to uphold transparency and public trust in the investigative processes.​

However, challenges remain. Discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of investigations, particularly concerning deaths that occur outside the physical premises of county jails, such as in hospitals. Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells has sought clarification on whether such deaths necessitate independent investigations, citing concerns over resource allocation. ​Texas Attorney General+1Kera News+1Kera News+2Kera News+2Texas Attorney General+2

As Texas continues to address these complexities, the commitment to impartial and thorough investigations remains paramount. The TCJS’s recent actions signal a positive step toward ensuring that all deaths in custody are examined with the rigor and independence that justice demands.​Kera News

Written By: Dean Malone

Dean Malone

Dean Malone is the founder of Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., a jail neglect civil rights law firm. Mr. Malone earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and from Baylor University School of Law with a general civil litigation concentration. Mr. Malone served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including executive editor. Mr. Malone is an experienced trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads the jail neglect section of his law firm, in which lawyers litigate cases involving serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and abuse. Lawyers frequently refer cases to Mr. Malone due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.