Texas Jails Receive New Rules for Prioritizing Inmate Complaints
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent a technical assistance memorandum regarding the prioritization of complaints to all Texas sheriffs and jail administrators on December 3, 2024. Unfortunately, tragedies often occur in U.S. jails when there is a lack of urgency in addressing serious complaints. This statement is backed by many custodial deaths linked to, for instance, laxity in providing appropriate inmate supervision. The non-compliance of Texas jails in providing appropriate supervision is often revealed as a result of special jail inspections scheduled in direct response to a custodial death.
The memo from TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood provides details regarding complaints and how to prioritize them based on their level of severity. The highest level of priority is given to Level I complaints, though responses for Level I and Level II complaints are due within 5 business days. Jails have 10 business days to make a response to Level III complaints. More details of each type of complaint follow:
- Personal injury, health hazards, and life safety are the types of grievances included in Level I complaints. Complaint investigators are instructed to notify the appropriate county as soon as possible regarding level I complaints. The county must acknowledge receipt of the complaint. The emergent part of the complaint is first addressed. Then a thorough and comprehensive investigation must be completed along with a response from the county within 5 business days.
- Level II complaints will be considered “urgent.” Level II complaints include those related to overcrowding, classification, or supervision.
- Level III complaints include any and all complaints not listed in levels I and II.
How Can Classification Errors Cause Potential Harm?
The most serious events that occur in Texas jails are custodial deaths. However, jail suicides deserve the most consideration since they are the leading cause of death not only in Texas jails but in city and county jails across the entire U.S. “Urgent” level II complaints cover two areas that are closely associated with custodial suicides, those being classification and supervision. Classification is seriously connected to possible danger to the general public, as well, considering the early release of detainees. Supervision is, as well, though that area is more obvious since it is an element in the prevention of jail escapes.
In Texas, the members of the jail staff responsible for the booking process are required to receive additional training. This training includes additional instructions on properly classifying inmates in the interest of suicide prevention and inmate safety. They learn how to interpret behaviors and statements that suggest a person could be suicidal. Inmates who are classified as potentially suicidal receive more intense supervision, which is the best deterrent for inmates in danger of self-harm.
The classification of inmates in Bexar County Jail came under scrutiny in 2019 after numerous inmates were mistakenly released. Per a news article, the sheriff said the archives had been checked and there were 15 mistaken or erroneous releases at the jail from January through mid-October of that year.
Support is Available for Jail Neglect Victims
The Law Offices of Dean Malone have extensive experience asserting the rights of county jail inmates and their loved ones. Do you suspect that jail neglect contributed to the loss of a family member in a Texas jail? If so, we encourage you to contact us. We also assist individuals who suffered lifechanging harm resulting from neglect or abuse after they are released from a county jail.
Reach out to us today by phone, text, or through our online form for a free case review.
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