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Category: Custodial Death

Tony Beaver Dies After 4 Months in Dallas County Jail

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Sixty-four-year-old Tony Harrison Beaver was booked into Dallas County Jail on December 17, 2023. He was pronounced deceased on April 18, 2024. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Marian Brown filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Beaver on April 30, 2024.

Three basic questions about Mr. Beaver, such as whether he appeared to be intoxicated on drugs or alcohol, are answered: “Unknown.” During intake, however, it was concluded and reported that he did exhibit medical problems.

Nothing conclusive is known about the cause of death, though there is an indication that Mr. Beaver had a pre-existing medical condition. Also, he was moved to Parkland Memorial Hospital on April 9, when he experienced shortness of breath. A medical procedure was being performed on Mr. Beaver when medical staff at the hospital pronounced him deceased nine days later. His cause of death is awaiting the results of an autopsy.

The Dallas County Jail facility where Mr. Beaver was placed is at 5201 Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas, TX 75235.

Jail Deaths are Often Linked to a Lack of Observation

Whether inmates commit suicide or care isn’t given for inmates’ medical emergencies, a lack of proper jail supervision is often linked to custodial deaths. Those facts are frequently made apparent as a result of the special jail inspections conducted after jail deaths.

In April 2023, for example, TCJS inspectors recorded what they found after a 41-year-old inmate accused of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child hung himself in a Texas jail. He was booked into the jail less than 5 hours before being pronounced deceased. The charges and the timing of the suicide are significant. Such charges are among the risk factors for suicide. Also, a significant number of custodial suicides occur within the first 24 hours of incarceration. These are considerations in preventing jail suicides. Yet, the following is what the inspectors found about the circumstances in this case:

  • A review of video submitted after a custodial suicide revealed that an inmate entered a restroom and remained unobserved for 88 minutes before being discovered.

The following is more information from the CDR:

  • The inmate was found unresponsive with a drawstring from his jacket around his neck and lower extremities. CPR began on the detainee, medical staff arrived, and lifesaving measures continued until the local fire department medics arrived. The inmate was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where a physician pronounced him deceased.

Do You Suspect that a Loved One Died in Jail Due to Neglect?

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have gained years of experience representing the interests of inmates in jail neglect cases. If you suspect that jail neglect caused the death of an incarcerated loved one in Texas, or if you were in a Texas jail and suffered a life-altering injury, we may be able to help. Call today, text, or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7.

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smchugh

Leon County, Texas Jail is Cited for 11 Jail Violations

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A jail inspection was conducted at Leon County Jail in Centerville, Texas, on April 12, 2024. Four days later, on April 16, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a 3-page notice of non-compliance. Leon County Jail was cited for allegedly violating 11 minimum jail standards. Compared with the average number of jail standards Texas jails are cited for, 11 violations are excessive. The jail’s address is 606 E Saint Marys St., Centerville TX 75833. Leon County Jail has an inmate capacity of 53.

Overcrowding is Among the Areas of Noncompliance at Leon County Jail

A TCJS inspector notes an overcrowding issue at Leon County Jail, as follows:

  • Leon County Jail has an approved capacity of 53 inmates. Jail records reviewed show that Leon County exceeded their limit a total of 14 times between January 1, 2024, and April 12, 2024. The population at Leon County Jail reached as much as 60 inmates during the same period.

Another issue that can be serious in carceral settings is a lack of supervision. There is a greater likelihood of inmate-on-inmate assaults, sexual assaults, and suicides occurring when jailers don’t provide supervision as required. Inmates in restraints at Leon County Jail were not observed every 15 minutes as required partly for their safety. When inmates are in restraints, observations include ensuring that the blood circulation to major limbs hasn’t been cut off. The TCJS inspector indicated the following:

  • One restraint log that was reviewed shows that jail staff exceeded the required 15-minute observations by 11 minutes.

How Does Jail Overcrowding Affect Detainees?

When there are too few jailers to provide adequate supervision, violence increases. Detainees are more likely to act out against jailers and each other when they are continually locked in their cells for long periods. Research shows that staffing shortages in jails contribute to increased assaults against officers.

History shows that when jail staff are overworked and sleep-deprived, there is a greater likelihood that they will use excessive force against detainees. In a January 2024 story by The Marshall Project, a watchdog group, a correctional officers’ union in Nevada blamed the murder of an inmate on the staffing shortage.

Do You Need Help Because a Loved One’s Death Was Possibly Caused by Jail Neglect?

It is an unmitigated tragedy when an individual dies after being booked into a local municipal or county jail. Whether a death was caused by jail medical neglect or neglect stemming from a complete indifference toward an inmate’s mental or physical condition, jails can be held accountable. It isn’t right, for instance, if a person known to have attempted suicide several times is placed among the general population of detainees with no protection against themself.

Perhaps a loved one of yours died in a Texas jail and you believe it was caused by jail neglect. If so, contact us at the Law Offices of Dean Malone. We can work with increased efficiency because we have a team that focuses on custodial deaths. Contact us 24/7. You can reach us by phone call, text, or our online form to schedule a free case evaluation.

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smchugh

Upton County Jail is Found Noncompliant Re Prescriptions for Inmates

Silhouette of barbed wires and watchtower of prison.

A jail inspection was conducted at Upton County Jail in Rankin, Texas, on April 10, 2024. On the same day, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance, although there is a typo on the notice, showing “Upon” instead of “Upton.” Upton County Jail was cited for allegedly violating two minimum jail standards.

The TCJS inspector’s notes reveal where Upton County Jail failed to comply with minimum requirements:

  • The documentation from the jail indicated that prescribed medications are not being administered to detainees as ordered by the physician.
  • Inmates are not receiving 1 hour of supervised physical activity 3 times per week as required, per the documentation from the jail.

Upton County Jail’s address is 1106 Grand Street in Rankin, Texas 79778. The bed capacity at the Rankin jail is 54.

Have Jail Inmates Died When Prescription Medications Weren’t Distributed Properly?

Families of deceased detainees in U.S. jails often voice their concerns that their loved ones did not receive their prescribed medications or other necessary care. If, for instance, a jail was provided insulin for an inmate, it could be considered jail medical neglect if the insulin is not administered.

Without insulin, the body begins to break down fat and muscle. This can result in a medical emergency such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a condition in which your body produces ketones at a dangerous level. Untreated, DKA can result in loss of consciousness and, eventually, death. When treated appropriately with timely treatment, however, the survival rate of diabetic ketoacidosis is upwards of 95%.

When custodial deaths due to natural causes occur, autopsies cannot always prove whether jail medical negligence was a factor. Sometimes, this happens because an inmate suffered from multiple health conditions.

Is Sepsis a Condition Linked to Evidence of Jail Medical Neglect?

When someone dies in jail from sepsis, it is always a red flag because treatment with antibiotics can prevent death from sepsis from occurring. Those who are at a higher risk for sepsis include adults age 65 or older and anyone with a weakened immune system or a chronic medical condition such as lung disease, kidney disease, or cancer. If medical personnel in a jail know these things plus the symptoms of sepsis, they should take action as necessary. The following are potential signs and symptoms of sepsis:

  • Delirium or confusion
  • A rapid heartbeat
  • Chills
  • Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
  • Lightheadedness caused by low blood pressure
  • Warm skin
  • Mottled skin or a skin rash

What if Someone Dies of Jail Medical Neglect?

Do you have a family member who died of possible jail medical neglect while in a U.S. jail? Or were you formerly incarcerated in a Texas jail and suffered a life-altering condition while there? If so, call the Law Offices of Dean Malone. Having gained years of experience representing families after loved ones died in jail, we have a team dedicated to those types of cases. We are available 24/7. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. You can reach us by phone call, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Francisco Salinas Dies After 51 Hours in Bexar County Jail

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Francisco Javier Salinas, age 41, entered Bexar County Jail at 4:20 AM on April 17, 2024. He was pronounced deceased in a holding cell 51 hours later at 7:19 AM on April 19. Under the direction of Sheriff Javier Salazar, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Salinas on April 25, 2024. Bexar County Jail is at 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, TX 75142.

It appears that Mr. Salinas may not have gone through the booking process at the time of his death. Answers to questions about his condition when admitted were “unknown,” per the CDR. A deputy discovered him in an unresponsive state, and the deputy indicated that his lips were bluish. He was pronounced deceased in the cell by San Antonio Fire Department Capt. Schott 49 minutes later. His cause of death is unknown.

Fentanyl Smuggled into Jails Threatens Lives

In May 2023 news, the lives of seven inmates in a Washington state county jail were saved in a multiple casualty incident. Deputies had observed inmate behaviors consistent with the symptoms of overdose caused by fentanyl. One after another, the inmates began swaying and falling against a wall.

Narcan was administered to all seven inmates. They were transported to a local hospital and later were returned to the jail. They all survived the incident.

Fentanyl caused approximately 200 deaths daily in the U.S. in 2022. Since 2018, over a quarter of a million people died from fentanyl overdoses in the U.S. alone. When administered in time, Narcan/ naloxone is an effective treatment that saves the lives of people experiencing an opioid overdose.

In the Washington jail, it was believed that an inmate had smuggled fentanyl into the jail. Within days, authorities charged an inmate with possession of a controlled substance inside a correctional facility.

Substance Withdrawal Is Common in U.S. Jails

Detainees in U.S. jails often suffer from withdrawal. If acute withdrawal symptoms aren’t treated, a preventable death can occur. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recently released Guidelines for Managing Substance Withdrawal in Jails. The information can help jails avoid deaths from severe alcohol and drug withdrawal.

The attentiveness of jail staff is crucial because detainees may not be able to accurately report what they’ve ingested because unknown contaminants are often mixed with other substances. There are indicators of drug withdrawal, with which jailers should be familiar, and the following are among them:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Appearing withdrawn or severely depressed
  • Agitation
  • Diarrhea
  • Talking about hurting themselves or others
  • Vomiting
  • Increasing panic or anxiety

Has Someone in Your Family Died from Possible Jail Neglect?

Has a loved one died in jail, and do you suspect that jail neglect was the cause of their death? Jails can be held accountable when custodial deaths occur due to jail neglect such as jail medical neglect. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have a team dedicated to custodial death cases. With our years of jail neglect experience, we can also sometimes help when former detainees in a U.S. jail have suffered a life-altering injury during their incarceration.

Call today, text, or fill out our online form. We are available to you 24/7.

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smchugh

Duane Ventimiglia Dies on Day 6 in Bexar County Jail

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Forty-year-old Duane Ventimiglia was booked into Bexar County Jail on April 13, 2024. He was pronounced deceased just 5 days later on April 18. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Javier Salazar filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Ventimiglia on April 23, 2024.

Two basic questions taken during booking in Texas jails are whether the detainee exhibited any mental health problems or any medical problems. To those questions, the CDR says “Unknown” as regards Mr. Ventimiglia at the time he went through intake. No other information in the CDR makes an indication of a health problem of any kind that might help explain his dying on his 6th day in jail. Mr. Ventimiglia’s cause of death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy.

Bexar County Jail is at 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, TX 75142.

Preventing Withdrawal Deaths in U.S. Jails

If acute substance withdrawal is not appropriately addressed, the result can be serious health complications and death. Obviously, this is an important matter. Deaths and suffering caused by withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and other substances are preventable. In 2023, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) published an invaluable resource to help jails address withdrawal, which many detainees experience.

Withdrawal Management by Qualified Health Care Professionals

Anyone booked into jail is entitled to the same necessary medical care no matter their custody level or classification. The following are some of the recommendations for withdrawal management in jails by qualified healthcare professionals:

  • Do not delay the treatment of a detainee in withdrawal while awaiting completion of clinical assessments or laboratory results.
  • Although some detainees are expected to be released before the completion of withdrawal management, treatment should not be delayed for that reason.
  • Withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, and sedatives can be severe and possibly life-threatening. There is no way to be certain of the intensity of withdrawal a patient might experience. Based on patient-specific orders from the health provider, qualified healthcare professionals should conduct frequent clinical assessments.
  • The frequency of the clinical assessments made by qualified healthcare professionals should be no less than twice per day and not more than 16 hours apart unless otherwise stated in substance-specific guidance herein.
  • The following are among the things that should be evaluated during each clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare professional:
    • Vital signs
    • Hydration
    • General physical condition
    • Orientation
    • Sleep
    • Mental health status including risk for suicide and self-harm

When a Loved One Dies in Jail

Suppose a family member died in a U.S. jail and you have reasons to suspect that jail neglect, such as jail medical neglect, was responsible for the tragedy. In that case, contact an experienced jail neglect attorney right away. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have years of experience in jail neglect cases.

Call today, text, or fill out our online form. We are available to you 24/7.

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smchugh

Victoria County Jail is Found Non-Compliant After an Inmate’s Death

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

A special jail inspection was conducted at Victoria County Jail in Victoria, Texas, on April 8, 2024. Subsequently, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance. Victoria County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. The special inspection was scheduled as a follow-up to a custodial death. It was discovered during the review of the custodial death that the last face-to-face check conducted before the discovery of the inmate exceeded the 30-minute maximum between observations. Victoria County Jail’s address is 401 E Oak Street., Victoria, Texas 77901. The bed capacity at the Victoria jail is 532.

An Inmate at Victoria County Jail Hung Himself Within 1.5 hours

The custodial death that is likely referenced in the April 8, 2024, special jail inspection report sent to Victoria County Jail is one filed by the Victoria County Sheriff’s Department on March 7, 2024. About 1.5 hours after his arrival at the jail, a 41-year-old detainee was discovered hanging in his single cell.

The CDR describes what transpired after he was discovered, which includes the man being pronounced deceased by a physician on March 3, found alive on March 4 by the physician who was about to perform organ harvesting, placed in ICU with no ventilation or respiratory assistance on March 6, and pronounced deceased again on March 7, 2024.

Disturbing U.S. Jail Suicide Statistics

A watchdog group published an analysis of jail suicides in 2022 which says the problem has been an overlooked national crisis for years. Between 2000 and 2019, suicides were the leading cause of jail deaths. The total of suicides in that time was 6,217, and the number represents 30% of all deaths in local jails. The jail suicide rate in 2019 was more than twice that of the general public.

The analysis tells about a 25-year-old detainee in New York who was transferred back to a county jail after being in a psychiatric hospital. The jail placed him in the general population housing, and he immediately committed suicide.

Another example of an unnecessary loss of life occurred in California. A 35-year-old man had been in a “safety cell,” where he had been continuously checked on every 15 minutes. Although his known history included suicide attempts, he managed to drown himself shortly after being released from the safety cell.

Do You Need Help With a Jail Death Caused by Jail Neglect?

Do you have a loved one who died in a local jail in the U.S. and you believe the death resulted from jail medical neglect or some other jail neglect? Or were you formerly incarcerated and, while there, you suffered life-altering injuries due to neglect? The Law Offices of Dean Malone can help with both types of cases.

Contact us as soon as possible for a free case evaluation. It is helpful to promptly pursue cases of jail neglect as near as possible to the timeframe of the event in question. This is one of the many things our years of experience have taught us. Over time, we have coordinated a team to work on custodial death cases. Call, text, or fill out our online form today.

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smchugh

Donald Ashby Dies on Day 11 in Kaufman County Jail

Front of Jail Cell

Donald Wayne Ashby, age 58, was booked into Kaufman County Jail at 1900 E US Hwy 175 in Kaufman, TX 75142 on April 6, 2024. He was pronounced deceased only 11 days later on April 17. The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Bryan W. Beavers filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Ashby on April 22, 2024. The CDR said that just before his death, Mr. Ashby was being monitored by the medical staff for possible heroin withdrawal. Mr. Ashby’s cause of death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy.

Recommended Jail Withdrawal Protocols

In 2023, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) joined forces with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) to provide a groundbreaking document entitled “Guidelines for Managing Substance Abuse Withdrawal in Jails.” The need for something like this was undeniable. Many times, detainees enter county or municipal jails and die within hours or a few days due to withdrawals, though autopsies don’t always prove out that common sense conclusion.

The document makes it clear that suffering and death from drug and alcohol withdrawal are preventable. Included with valuable information that can be implemented to save countless lives is a strategy for improving access to lifesaving medication for opioid use. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Over 150 people in the U.S. die daily from drug overdoses related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

COWS is a Tool That Can Help With Opioid Withdrawal

The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is designed for administration by a clinician. It has 11 items that will help determine the severity of opioid withdrawal and assess a person’s level of physical dependence on opioids. The scale involves a number rating of various symptoms, including resting pulse rate, sweating, tremors, pupil size, joint or bone aches, and more. In addition to being tested in this way, detainees suspected of drug or alcohol withdrawal should be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional every 4 hours for the first 72 hours in a jail facility.

Jail Staff and Staff Training

Among the recommendations for implementing withdrawal protocols that save lives is that the jail staff receive pertinent training. As a basic, the first aid course for jail staff members should include managing overdose (checking respirations, administering naloxone, and positioning the patient to avoid aspiration) and managing seizures (i.e. preventing head trauma) until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive.

Supportive Care for Detainees in Withdrawal

In news articles that expose alleged jail medical neglect after supposedly apparent withdrawal deaths, jail staff is often portrayed as utterly indifferent to individuals experiencing drug or alcohol withdrawal. This BJA document urges that jail staff provide supportive care. This includes minimizing environmental stimulation by reducing noise levels and dimming lights. When available, house inmates experiencing withdrawal together.

Detainees in withdrawal often vomit and have diarrhea. Maintaining fluids is essential because electrolyte imbalances and dehydration can severely affect health consequences. Qualified healthcare professionals should monitor such inmates for signs and symptoms of dehydration, among other recommendations.

Who to Call for Help with a Death Caused by Jail Neglect

Individuals do not lose their civil rights when they are incarcerated. If you suspect that your loved one died in a U.S. jail as a result of jail medical neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone without delay. We have a team that is dedicated to handling custodial deaths. We also represent former jail detainees who suffered a life-altering injury while incarcerated. Call today, text, or fill out our online form. We are sincere in our concern about inmates’ rights and, therefore, we are available 24/7.

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smchugh

Smith County Jail Inmate Tonya Williams Collapses and Dies

Silhouette of barbed wires and watchtower of prison.

Fifty-seven-year-old Tonya Ann Williams entered Smith County Jail in Tyler, Texas, on April 4, 2024. Ms. Williams died 3 days later. The cause of her April 7, 2024, death is unknown and pending autopsy results from toxicology. The Smith County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Williams on April 19, 2024.

Ms. Williams exhibited medical health problems during the booking process. The CDR indicates that after her admission into the jail’s jurisdiction, she received treatment for the medical condition that caused her death. It also indicates, with no further specifics, that her death was the result of a pre-existing medical condition.

Smith County Jail’s address where Ms. Williams was incarcerated is 104 S. Spring St, Tyler, TX 75702. The bed capacity in Smith County is 1,065.

Smith County Jail was Cited for 12 Minimum Standards Violations From 2022 Through 2023

For each of the past five years, Smith County Jail has been cited for violations of minimum jail standards. In 2022 and 2023 alone, Smith County Jail received four non-compliance notices for a total of 12 alleged violations. When a jail fails to meet minimum standards, detainees are or potentially could be negatively affected.

TCJS inspects Texas county jails at least annually. Multiple inspections within a year might be prompted by detainee complaints, an inmate’s escape, a custodial death, or various other reasons.

Alarming Texas Jail Statistics Re Mentally Handicapped Detainees

In February news in Austin, protests linked to custodial deaths in Texas jails were brought to light. Each of the circumstances and death locations were explored, and one common denominator became clear. Among those represented in the protest, most of the people who died while in the custody of a Texas jail were experiencing a mental health crisis. Further, another study shows that more than 50% of the people who died in 2022 in jail custody had been identified as having a mental health problem at least once since the 1980s.

Another disturbing statistic demonstrates that, overwhelmingly, the number of detainees in Texas jails that need to be admitted to a state hospital outnumbers the psychiatric beds available. As of February 1, 2024, at least 1,947 individuals were on the waitlist. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has been working for several years to expand the number of available beds.

Help for Jail Medical Neglect

Jails can be held responsible when a detainee dies due to jail neglect such as jail medical neglect. Getting help as quickly as possible is important because it could help to ensure that all pertinent facts are discoverable. It is beneficial to enlist help from attorneys with experience in the specific type of case for which you need representation. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have dedicated ourselves to jail neglect cases for many years.

Contact us today if you believe that a loved one died of some type of jail neglect while incarcerated. We are available 24/7. Former detainees who have suffered life-altering injuries while in jail are also encouraged to call, text, or fill out our online form.

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smchugh

Marsha Hernandez Dies After 1 Week in Bastrop County Jail

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Marsha Hernandez entered Bastrop County Jail in Bastrop, Texas, on April 3, 2024. Tragically, Ms. Hernandez died after a week of incarceration. The cause of her April 9, 2024 death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy. The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Hernandez on April 15, 2024.

According to the CDR, at the time she was booked, Ms. Hernandez exhibited mental health problems and medical problems. There are no further insights on any illness or event that may have contributed to her cause of death. The CDR simply says that Investigator Plocica, who provided the summary of how the death occurred, arrived as lifesaving efforts were in progress. She was pronounced deceased 25 minutes after his arrival.

Bastrop County Jail’s address is 200 Jackson St., Bastrop, TX 78602. The bed capacity at the Batrop jail is 400.

A Florida County Jail Faces Scrutiny Over Possible Medical Neglect

In August 2023, a news article about jails in a Florida county brought to light possible medical neglect and the deaths of three detainees within the previous month. People are purportedly not receiving necessary medications while in custody in the jails in the county. It was suggested that a man died after allegedly being denied his heart transplant medication. Others with diabetes allegedly haven’t been receiving their necessary insulin treatments.

Is Jail Medical Neglect a Widespread Problem?

In the midst of controversy, the Florida county announced plans to switch to a different medical provider. This strategy is often repeated in U.S. jails as history has proven that medical care for detainees has worsened since many counties have begun hiring third-party inmate healthcare providers.

In Texas, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) reports every year that complaints about medical care for inmates outnumber all others. Common problems include denial of prescription medications and ignoring symptoms that could point to serious or fatal medical conditions. When a detainee dies from sepsis, it is always a red flag because sepsis is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early.

Many times, jails in Texas counties have been cited by TCJS for violating the rule requiring all medical instructions of designated physicians to be followed. For instance, Taylor County Jail was cited in June of 2023 because the TCJS inspector could not verify that medication was consistently administered to detainees as ordered by the physician.

Do You Suspect That a Deceased Loved One Was a Victim of Jail Medical Neglect?

County jails can be held accountable when detainees die as a result of medical neglect or other types of jail neglect. If you have reason to suspect that a loved one who died in jail was a victim of medical neglect or jail neglect, we recommend that you seek help without delay. Also, if you were incarcerated in a county jail and suffered life-altering injuries as a result of neglect, contact us at the Law Offices of Dean Malone today. We have years of experience representing the interests of detainees and their families. You can reach us anytime, night or day. Call, text, or fill out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Midland County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance

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Following an inspection that took place from March 25-26, 2024, Midland County Jail was cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for two alleged jail violations. One pertains to physical exercise for inmates and the other involves the serious matter of observation of the detainees. Midland County Jail’s address is 400 S Main St, Midland, TX 79701. The bed capacity at the Midland jail is 800.

Inmate Observations are Linked to Jail Deaths

Is the matter of inmate observations important for the prevention of death in jails? Yes. Without looking at any other statistics, this fact can be proven by perusing the results of special jail inspection reports that were follow-ups to custodial suicides and other deaths in Texas jails. Observation violations have also been connected to detainee deaths in which the cause of death was unknown or for medical reasons.

The Tragic Death of an Inmate

After an inmate died in Young County Jail in Graham, Texas, TCJS inspectors conducted a special jail inspection in May 2023. The jail has a 144-bed capacity and is located in Graham, Texas. After the inspection, Young County Jail was cited for two alleged violations of minimum jail standards. The inspector’s notes on the jail inspection report indicate that jailers had not observed the deceased inmate face-to-face as required. It also says that the inmate should have been observed every 30 minutes due to the reported mental health and behavioral issues he demonstrated.

Suicide prevention in jails has a multi-pronged approach that begins as soon as a person goes through intake. The training jailers are required to go through advises them that suicide is the number one cause of death in jails. They must be alert at all times to possible clues that an inmate is suicidal. Of the many strategies for suicide prevention, direct supervision is the most effective deterrent. The observations of inmates are the primary ways in which supervision is accomplished.

The Importance of Supervision of Inmates

In an article on the benefits of supervision in jails, several points make a strong case for keeping inmates safer by maintaining face-to-face observations. Stronger inmates are less apt to assault and abuse weaker inmates when a jailer is present or observing them. Contraband getting into jails is far too common, and jailers can often save lives if they are aware of medical emergencies such as overdoses. Also, of course, suicides can be prevented by providing the required oversight.

Has a Loved One Died from Possible Jail Neglect?

After a detainee dies in jail, the family members will often demand to know if their loved one suffered from medical neglect. They will have heard, for instance, that prescription medications weren’t dispensed to them properly. Perhaps they were aware that cries for medical care were ignored repeatedly. If an inmate’s death follows these types of situations, the facts of the case should be explored as soon as possible.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone has years of experience representing the families of detainees who died in jail. Whether in Texas or elsewhere in the U.S., contact us today if you suspect that some type of jail neglect resulted in the death of a loved one. You can reach us 24/7 by phone, text, or by completing our online form.

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smchugh
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