Armstrong County Jail is run by the Sheriff’s Office and has an 8-bed capacity. The sheriff’s department reports that the jail is currently at 75% capacity. The jail is required to follow jail standards, which are provided and enforced by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).

No matter how small or large a city or county jail in Texas may be, the constitutional rights of the inmates must be protected. Intake screening is a crucial part of ensuring the well-being of inmates in Texas jails. Immediately upon admission into a Texas jail, an intake screening form must be completed on all inmates. The following is an explanation of the purpose of intake screening, an issue for which Texas County jails are frequently found to be in noncompliance.

• Intake screening is the first step in the crucial determination of whether inmates require a specialized mental health assessment. By way of the intake screening process, members of the correctional staff in the jail triage those who may be at significant risk for attempting suicide. Inmates who may be in a state of distress from a mental health disorder or complications caused by recent substance abuse are identified during the intake process so that assistance can be provided for special needs detainees.

This post is provided for informational purposes. There is no intention in this or any other post on the site to assert or suggest misconduct or wrongdoing on the part of Armstrong County Jail, any other institution, or any person.

–Guest Contributor