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Category: Custodial Death

Gregg County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection

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Gregg County Jail is among the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. In a January 9, 2024, notice of noncompliance, Gregg County Jail was advised of the results of a jail inspection conducted that day. The Longview, Texas, jail has been cited for the alleged violation of one minimum jail standard. The address of Gregg County Jail is 101 W Whaley St, Longview, TX 75601. The jail can house up to 883 detainees.

Rule §273.2 (7) – Health Services

Gregg County Jail has been cited for allegedly failing to comply with Rule §273.2 (7) – Health Services Plan, which is in the chapter on Health Services. The rule requires that Texas jails provide procedures for the distribution of prescriptions in accordance with written instructions from a physician by an appropriate person designated by the sheriff/operator.

  • After a custodial death at Gregg County Jail, officials in Gregg County self-reported the medicating nurse failed to provide the inmate with his prescribed medications during the morning medication pass and documented a medication refusal without interacting with or speaking to the inmate.

Gregg County Jail was cited for the same rule named above after an inspection that took place from August 29-31. The TCJS inspector’s note said that medication administration records were reviewed, and it was discovered that the records failed to show that the medications are distributed in accordance with written instructions from a physician.

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smchugh

Cameron County, Texas Jail Fails State Inspection

Cameron County Jail is among the non-compliant jails currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. In a December 5, 2023, notice of noncompliance, Cameron County Jail is advised of the results of a special jail inspection conducted on December 4, 2023. The Olmito, Texas, jail has been cited for the alleged violation of one minimum jail standard. This is the fourth time Cameron County Jail has been cited for non-compliance in the year 2023 and the second time this year it was cited for the rule shown below. The address of Cameron County Jail is  7100 Old Alice Road, Olmito, TX 78575. The jail, known as the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center, can house up to 166 detainees.

Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers

Cameron County Jail has been cited for allegedly failing to comply with Rule §275.1- Regular Observation by Jailers, which is in the chapter on the Supervision of Inmates. The rule follows:

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 a video submitted after a custodial death revealed that twelve (12) observation rounds were not conducted within the mandated 30-minute timeframe required in the housing area. Additionally, several of the rounds were not conducted face to face as the windows to the single cells had coverings that were not lifted by the jailer to observe the detainees.

 The special jail inspection report for December 2023 doesn’t provide the name of the detainee whose death prompted this fourth inspection of Cameron County Jail in 2023. This report may refer to the custodial death of Jacqueline Barosio, a 25-year-old woman. Ms. Barosio was booked into the jail at 7100 Old Alice Road, Olmito, TX 78575 on June 1, 2023, and was pronounced deceased on October 21, 2023, after being found unresponsive in her cell.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh

A Nueces County Detainee Found in an Altered Mental State Dies-5

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Continuing with the October 27, 2023, events summarizing how the death of 43-year-old Richard Gonzalez occurred, at approximately 7:02 p.m. the Nueces County Jail was notified that Mr. Gonzalez’s health was declining and his heart rate was dropping. At 7:05 p.m., Mr. Gonzalez stopped breathing and hospital medical staff began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Dr. Brittany Davis pronounced Richard Gonzalez deceased at 9:48 p.m. The Nueces County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was notified as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety-Texas Ranger Max Honesto. The cause of death is unknown at this time pending the results of the autopsy.

Does Overcrowding Contribute to Jail Deaths in Texas Counties? Continued

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) often ties non-compliant jails to rules of operation that require face-to-face observations of detainees. Custodial deaths are often referred to in connection to lapses in supervision.

Cameron County Jail was cited for failing to comply with Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers. The rule requires face-to-face observations in the general population every hour and for at-risk inmates, the observations are required every 30 minutes. A TCJS inspector wrote this note on the notice of noncompliance report:

  • A review of the video submitted after a custodial death revealed that 8 observation rounds were not conducted within the mandated 30-minute timeframe required in the housing area. Additionally, several of the rounds were not conducted face to face as the windows to the single cells had coverings that were not lifted by the jailer to observe the inmates.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of intimating that individuals or entities have been involved in wrongs.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh

A Nueces County Detainee Found in an Altered Mental State Dies-4

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Next on October 27, 2023, emergency medical services (EMS) was contacted to transport Nueces County Jail detainee Richard Gonzalez to a hospital for further evaluation. Nueces County Jail contacted emergency medical services (EMS), and Medic 1 arrived. The ambulance transported Mr. Gonzalez to Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital located at 600 Elizabeth St, Corpus Christi TX 78404. He was left to the hospital’s care.

Nueces County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance with Rule §259.138(a)

An inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) made the following notes in the jail inspection report issued to Nueces County Jail in 2021. All were about the violation of Rule §259.138(a)-Holding Cells, in which detainees were held for longer than 48 hours.

In the jail inspection report dated June 14-15, 2021, TCJS Inspector Jennifer Shumake indicated the following:

  • On the dates of the inspection, it was determined that several inmates were held in holding cells for more than 48 hours.

Does Overcrowding Contribute to Jail Deaths in Texas Counties?

It is widely believed that supervision is key to suicide prevention. For that reason, the protocol in many Texas jails for detainees who are extreme risks for suicide is to observe them every 15 minutes at most. When overcrowding is an issue, jailers tend to miss observation rounds on a frequent and consistent basis. Jails do not demonstrate careful attention to suicide prevention measures when they fail to provide face to face observations in the intervals set by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).

During annual TCJS inspections and special inspections, Texas county jails are frequently found to be noncompliant with rules establishing observation rounds.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this ongoing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of intimating that individuals or entities have been involved in wrongs.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh

A Nueces County Detainee Found in an Altered Mental State Dies-3

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Nueces County Jail detainee Richard Gonzalez was seen by medical personnel at about 9:30 a.m. on October 27, 2023. They were summoned to his cell after he was found in an altered mental state and unclothed in his cell. Mr. Gonzalez was unable to walk on his own. Officers assisted him out of the cell and onto a wheelchair. He was taken to medical to be assessed. Once he was at medical, Dr. Caro determined that Mr. Gonzalez needed to be transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Nueces County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance with Rule §259.138(a)

Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) made the following notes in the jail inspection reports issued to Nueces County Jail in 2022, 2021, and 2017, respectively. All were about the violation of Rule §259.138(a)-Holding Cells, in which detainees were held for longer than 48 hours.

In the jail inspection report dated March 30-31, 2017, TCJS Inspector Phillip Bosquez indicated the following:

  • During the review of facility rosters for intake cells, it was observed that inmates are routinely being held past the 48-hour time limit defined in minimum jail standards. The inspector reviewed samples from several months of documentation, and the deficiency was consistently found. The overages ranged from 1 to 4 days over the 48-hour limit.

Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this ongoing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of intimating that individuals or entities have been involved in wrongs.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh

A Nueces County Detainee Found in an Altered Mental State Dies

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Richard Gonzalez was booked into Nueces County Jail on August 22, 2022. Tragically, he died in the jail’s custody on October 27, 2023. Mr. Gonzalez was only 43 years old when he was declared deceased at Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital. The address of Nueces County Jail is 901 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Nueces County Jail has a bed capacity of 1,020 detainees. The address of the medical facility where Mr. Gonzalez died on the same day that he arrived is 600 Elizabeth, Corpus Christi TX 78404.

Nueces County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance with a Rule Associated with Overcrowding

The Nueces County Jail is not currently listed as a noncompliant jail on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. However, in 2022, 2021, and 2017, Nueces County Jail was cited for noncompliance with Rule §259.138(a)-Holding Cells in the chapter on New Construction Rules.

Rule §259.138(a)-Holding Cells

The rule states the following: One or more holding cells shall be provided to hold inmates pending intake, processing, release, or other reasons for temporary holding. Inmates shall not be held for more than 48 hours. Violations always include a note by the inspector.

Details from the inspectors’ notes in the three notices of noncompliance with Rule §259.138(a)-Holding Cells sent to Nueces County Jail will be shared in the next segment.

Learn more in this ongoing series.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of intimating that individuals or entities have been involved in wrongs.

–Guest Contributor

 

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smchugh

A 25-Year-Old Dies in Cameron County Jail on 10/21/23-5

At the age of 25, Jacqueline Barosio entered Cameron County Jail in Olmito, Texas. She went through intake on June 1, 2023, and, while still in jail, was pronounced deceased on October 21, 2023. Her cause of death is unknown, and an autopsy report and toxicology report are awaited. The custodial death report (CDR), which was filled out by the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department, indicates that the decedent caused her own death. This suggests that they either know or suspect that she had taken an illicit drug, which would have to have been smuggled into the jail.

Details on Events Surrounding the Death of a Cameron County Detainee Continued

Detention Center staff were notified of a combative detainee en route to said location. Cameron County Sheriff Deputies arrived at the Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center at approximately 12:33 a.m. The 32-year-old detainee was taken out of the patrol unit, placed in a restraint chair, and wheeled into the facility by detention center personnel. The detainee was placed in the booking area, where he was seen by medical staff.

Detention center personnel attempted to take off the mechanical restraints, at which time the detainee continued to be combative and uncooperative. Cameron County Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center Medical Staff initiated the evaluation process on the detainee, at which time he became unresponsive.

The detainee was taken off the restraint chair and placed on the floor where life-saving measures were taken by medical staff. Brownsville EMS was summoned and transported the detainee to a local hospital where he was admitted. Routine screening at the hospital revealed the presence of cocaine in the detainee. He remained at the hospital on life support until Thursday, October 12, 2017, when family members opted to release the detainee from life support. The detainee expired at 11:16 a.m.

An autopsy was performed by Cameron County Forensic Pathology Dr. Elizabeth Miller. During the course of the autopsy, Dr. Miller located a clear plastic baggie in the detainee’s stomach. Further studies were required to determine the cause and manner of death. Complete autopsy report pending.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this ongoing series.

Providing helpful resources for Texas detainees in county and city jails is one purpose of this website. Suggesting that any persons or entities have engaged in misdeeds is never intended on this site.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh

A 25-Year-Old Dies in Cameron County Jail on 10/21/23-4

Jacqueline Barosio was a detainee in Cameron County Jail in Olmito, Texas, from June 1, 2023, until October 21, 2023, when she was pronounced deceased in the jail. It is currently unknown what caused her death. The entirety of the summary of how her death occurred in the custodial death report (CDR) follows: “The female subject was found unconscious in a single cell. Inmate did not display any markings or bruising on her body. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. The Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division is leading the investigation.”

Details on Events Surrounding the Death of a Cameron County Detainee Continued

After his face had water applied to decontaminate him from the deployed oleoresin capsicum (QC), the 32-year-old detainee was making irrational statements such as him being Jesus Christ. He resisted arrest, resisted transportation, and assaulted deputies who were in the process of placing him in a patrol unit for transportation to the Cameron County Jail. Emergency Medical Services were summoned to evaluate the detainee, but he continued being combative and was unresponsive to EMS questioning. Cameron County Sheriff Deputies transported him in a marked patrol unit to the Cameron County Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center. During transport, the detainee was banging his head against the patrol unit’s partition.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and this ongoing series.

Providing helpful resources for Texas detainees in county and city jails is one purpose of this website. Suggesting that any persons or entities have engaged in misdeeds is never intended on this site.

–Guest Contributor

author avatar
smchugh

A 25-Year-Old Dies in Cameron County Jail on 10/21/23-3

Twenty-five-year-old Jacqueline Barosio was incarcerated in Cameron County Jail in Olmito, Texas, from June 1, 2023, until the day she was pronounced deceased on October 21, 2023. Her cause of death is unknown. However, the custodial death report (CDR) indicates that the “decedent” caused the death. The results of a toxicology report are awaited. These things seem to suggest that jailers suspect that Ms. Barosio obtained illicit drugs. The summary of how her death occurred is only four sentences long. It indicates that Ms. Barosio was discovered unconscious in her single cell. The Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division is leading the investigation into her death.

Details on Events Surrounding the Death of a Cameron County Detainee

A detainee who was arrested by officers with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department died in the custody of Cameron County Jail on October 12, 2017. The cause of death was pending when the CDR was filed, but it was never amended after the autopsy was conducted.

This 32-year-old detainee was arrested by the Cameron County officers and placed in the jail on October 9, 2017. The following are some of the details in the summary of how his death occurred, to be continued in this series:

Cameron County Sheriff’s Deputies went to a scene in San Benito, Cameron County, Texas, regarding a disturbance that involved a suspect who may have sustained a gunshot wound. When the deputies arrived at the scene, they arrested the 32-year-old detainee for the offense of criminal mischief. When he failed to comply with the officers’ directives, Sheriff’s Deputies deployed oleoresin capsicum (QC) on him. Cool water was applied to the detainee’s face to decontaminate him.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and this ongoing series.

Providing helpful resources for Texas detainees in county and city jails is one purpose of this website. Suggesting that any persons or entities have engaged in misdeeds is never intended on this site.

–Guest Contributor

author avatar
smchugh

A 56 Year-Old Dies After 8 Days in Bell County Jail-5

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This paragraph and the next continue with the events that occurred on October 19, 2023, the day of Bell County Jail detainee Thomas Rolston’s death. The officer, having found Mr. Rolston unresponsive, called a medical emergency for the housing unit. All other detainees were removed to the recreation yard.

Once medical staff arrived, the facility doctor performed lifesaving measures. When emergency medical services (EMS) arrived, they took over and transported Mr. Rolston by ambulance to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Mr. Rolston was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilke at 11:09 a.m. Mr. Rolston was 56 years old. His cause of death is unknown and pending autopsy results. Bell County Jail is in Belton, Texas.

Recent Suicides and Other Deaths in Bell County Jail Continued

The following continues information from the summary of the events surrounding the August 2022 death of a 49-year-old detainee at Bell County Jail:

Jailers began searching the detainee in the search vestibule, and he resisted. He was placed on the ground and his restraints were repositioned as they continued to search him. While jailers were escorting the detainee into the holding area, he again pulled away. They diverted him towards the padded violent cell. Inside the cell, they worked on removing the detainee’s hand restraints before they exited the cell. The detainee was observed through the observation window. A short time later lifesaving measures had to be performed on the detainee. He was pronounced deceased at the jail.

The custodial death report indicates that the cause of death was listed as homicide, including justifiable homicide. The following is written under the medical cause of death: “Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and physiologic stress during a restraint. Part II (other Significant Contributing Factors): morbid obesity and psychosis and bipolar disease.”

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this five-part series.

One of this website’s purposes is to provide helpful resources to benefit Texas county and municipal jail detainees and their families. Implying that an individual or entity has engaged in wrongdoing is never intended.

–Guest Contributor

 

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smchugh
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