The Cherokee County, Texas, Jail is Cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards for Noncompliance
Cherokee County Jail in Rusk, Texas, was cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for alleged noncompliance with jail standards. The Jail Inspection Report was released on August 30, 2017. The inspection itself took place on September 27, 2016. The alleged violation was related to intake screening in which inmates who are known to be or are observed to be potentially suicidal and/or mentally disabled are given appropriate considerations, as outlined in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22. A magistrate is supposed to be notified of the information about an inmate and mental health officials are also supposed to be informed under these circumstances.
According to the TCJS, the jailer at Cherokee County Jail allegedly failed to complete the intake screening form and adhere to necessary instructions on the form with regard to the notification of a magistrate and medical personnel.
These types of measures are extremely important, to prevent jail suicides. The laws related to at-risk inmates recently changed when Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Sandra Bland Act into law in June 2017. Sandra Bland had just moved to Texas from Chicago in July 2015 when a police officer in Waller County, Texas pulled, her over for allegedly failing to use a turn signal. Her famous encounter with the officer was captured on dashcam video and was released on social media, where it went viral.
The exchange between the Waller County officer and Bland was in itself a source of social outrage, though people supported both sides of the confrontation. The entire incident took on even greater significance when Bland committed suicide in jail three days later. The Sandra Bland Act, in her honor, provides greater assurance that mentally disturbed people who are incarcerated have more help. In addition, agencies will investigate all jail deaths and police officers are required to receive de-escalation training.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
–Guest Contributor
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