Category: Classification of inmates

A special jail inspection was conducted at Hutchinson County Jail in Borger, Texas, on April 15, 2024. The next day, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance. Hutchinson County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. A TCJS inspector discovered an area of systematic non-compliance to the rule requiring classification reassessments. The reclassification of all seven of the inmates reviewed exceeded the 90-day maximum by 1 to 33 days. Hutchinson County Jail’s address is 1400 Veta Street in Borger, Texas 79007. The bed capacity at the Borger jail is 70.

Reclassification of Inmates Helps Ensure Jail Safety and Security

County jail and municipal jail inmates must be classified when they go through intake, when housing decisions are being made, and between 30 and 90 days after they are booked. The purpose of classification is to identify security and health issues. The process begins with behaviors during their arrest. Gaining insight into their mental state is a chief concern because suicide is the leading cause of death in U.S. jails. Other behaviors important to the matter of classification include their threat of safety to themselves or others, prior assaultive or violent behaviors, and more.

Immediate action is crucial when a detainee makes suicidal statements or exhibits signs of being potentially suicidal. They should be housed in areas that provide increased supervision. Isolation should be avoided because it greatly increases the possibility of making a suicide attempt.

Research clearly shows that the jail environment can negatively impact the mental health of detainees. This should be a significant consideration during reclassification because jail inmates with mental health disorders cause most of the rule violations, disciplinary problems, and physical assaults. In addition, a detainee who formerly appeared to be mentally stable may become suicidal and need increased supervision.

How Can Incarceration Impact the Mental Health of Jail Detainees?

A survey of jail inmates after 12 months of incarceration looked for indications of mania, major depression, or psychotic disorders. Signs of mania or major symptoms of depression included various behaviors and feelings. Examples are loss of interest in activities, persistent sadness, psychomotor agitation, insomnia or hyposomnia, and persistent irritability or anger. Approximately 39.6% of detainees in local jails exhibited major depressive or mania symptoms after 12 months, which was more than inmates in state prisons (32.9%) and Federal prisons (23.7%).

Jails have a responsibility to inmates experiencing mental health problems. There are communication, housing, and supervision procedures that apply to those who are mentally ill and/or potentially suicidal. Jail staff must also be familiar with intervention and emergency procedures prior to and during the occurrence of serious deterioration of an inmate’s mental condition and a suicide attempt.

Are You a Victim of Jail Neglect?

You may be a victim of jail neglect if a loved one died in a U.S. jail and you are aware that prescribed medications weren’t administered to them or they were in some other way affected by jail neglect. The Law Offices of Dean Malone has a team working with jail deaths, and we also have years of experience asserting claims for inmates who have suffered life-altering injuries due to jail neglect. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. At any time of the day or night, you can reach us by phone call, text, or our online form.