Bell County Jail is located at 111 West Central Avenue, Belton, Texas 76513; and the phone number is (254) 933-5400. The Bell County Sheriff has the responsibility of running the county jail. Minimum jail standards that must be upheld by all county and city jails are provided by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). Jail standards are enforced by way of jail inspections and following up on non-compliance with disciplinary actions when needed.

Bell County Jail has the capacity to house 1,184 inmates. Each detainee in every Texas jail must be provided with medical care. The alleged denial of adequate medical care services in jails is the type of complaint most frequently submitted to TCJS.

Medical Care Plans for Inmates

Every city and county jail facility in Texas must come up with a written plan for providing inmates’ health services, and that plan must be approved by TCJS and implemented. The plan must detail procedures for ensuring that inmates get the medical care, mental services, and dental care they need. As examples, there must be specific procedures for:

• Regularly scheduled sick calls;
• Prompt and efficient care for emergency and acute situations;
• Making referrals for mental, dental, and medical services for inmates;
• Providing necessary convalescent and long-term care for disabled inmates;
• The review of any prescription medication an inmate is taking when brought into custody, which must be performed by a qualified medical professional; and
• Providing treatments, examinations, and other procedures for inmates in a dignified and reasonable place and manner.

As with all posts on this site, this post is meant to provide information that may be helpful. There is no intention to infer misconduct on the part of any person or government institution.

–Guest Contributor