Noncompliance reports in Texas frequently cite county jails for failing to conduct face-to-face observations. Sometimes, after a custodial death, an inspector with the Texas County Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) finds that a suicide occurred during a period when the observation rounds were not conducted at all or were not conducted properly.

Travis County Jail Is Cited for Noncompliance in a May 17, 2023, Report

A special jail inspection report dated May 17, 2023, was sent to Travis County Jail, 500 W. 10^th St., Austin, TX 78701. The Travis County Correctional Complex has a 3,050-bed capacity. Travis County Jail has been cited for noncompliance with the following rule.

RULE §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers

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.

• A review of documentation and video submitted after a custodial death revealed that three (3) observation rounds documented as conducted did not include any observation of this inmate.

In the next segment of this series, learn about instances where jailers stopped inmates from committing suicide when conducting observation rounds. Also, learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7 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