Young County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance with Rules Related to Suicide Prevention Continued

Noncompliance reports that are a result of special jail inspections often refer to a custodial death. It is up to the jail’s discretion whether or not the inmate’s name is included on the report. In the case of Brandon Kyle Taylor, who committed suicide in Young County Jail, a special inspection report was conducted shortly after his death.

Rule §275.1 – Regular Observation by Jailers

The other rule that Young County Jail was found to be noncompliant with is Rule §275.1 – Regular Observation by Jailers. It is in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates. Here are the requirements of the rule as shown on the notice of noncompliance:

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. The TCJS inspector’s notes about noncompliance with this rule are as follows:

• A review of documentation and video received after a custodial death revealed that while jailers made observation rounds, the jailers did not view the inmate face-to-face as required by minimum jail standards. Additionally, documentation provided indicated the inmate should have been observed at 30-minute intervals due to the reported mental and behavioral issues he demonstrated.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

Providing help to inmates now or formerly detained in a Texas municipal or county jail is one of the purposes of this website. There is never an intention of implying that misdeeds have occurred on the part of individuals or institutions.

–Guest Contributor