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Category: Custodial Death

Smith County Jail Inmate Tonya Williams Collapses and Dies

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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

Angelica Martin Dies After 3 Weeks in Dallas County Jail

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On April 5, 2024, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about 48-year-old Angelica Martin. She was booked into the Dallas County Jail Lew Sterrett Justice Center on March 4, 2024. Tragically, she died on March 26, 2024, still in the jail’s custody.

Twenty days after she entered the Dallas jail, at 4:16 AM, a registered nurse (RN) and two Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Detention Service Officers (DSO) found Ms. Martin in an unresponsive state. They had been making a medical round to distribute medications and administer finger sticks to check blood sugar.

The RN began administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Ms. Martin regained a pulse and CPR ceased at 4:46 AM. Ms. Martin was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital (PMH) at 4:51 AM. On March 26, 2024, Ms. Martin was pronounced deceased by a physician at PMH. Her cause of death is currently unknown and pending autopsy results.

Many U.S. Jail Deaths Have Occurred in the Past Month

A search through U.S. news for jail deaths will usually reveal the alarming frequency of custodial deaths in local jails. In many cases, at least initially, the cause of death is a mystery. The following are a few examples of jail deaths within the past month.

  • The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 46-year-old detainee was found dead in his Redwood City, California, cell on March 15, 2024. Initially, suicide was reported as the cause of death. However, the official cause of death is pending autopsy results.
  • A Henry County Jail detainee was discovered dead inside his cell on Monday, March 11, 2024. Staff at the jail attempted to provide emergency medical services, but he did not revive. The man was pronounced deceased by the county coroner’s office. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office in McDonough, Georgia, released no further details.
  • On March 28, 2024, in Prince William County, Virginia, 18-year-old Juan Felipe Majia Campos was discovered unresponsive in his cell. When jail staff attempted to give lifesaving aid, they found that it was too late. Shortly after, he was pronounced deceased. Just before 9:15 AM that morning, officers responded to the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center to investigate. Preliminarily, officials said that the death appears to be narcotics-related or for unknown medical reasons.
  • On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, a 32-year-old man was found dead in his cell inside the Yakima County Sunnyside City Jail in Yakima, Washington. The man had been arrested and booked into the jail on March 29, just four days earlier.

Has Your Loved One Died in a Local Jail Due to Medical Neglect?

It is often said that jail is not supposed to be a place where people go to die. Tragically, however, many people are never released from a county or municipal jail because death came first. If this has happened to a member of your family and you think it was possibly the result of medical neglect or jail neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. For years, we’ve represented the interests of families whose loved ones died while incarcerated. We sometimes also represent former inmates who suffered a life-altering injury due to neglect while in jail. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Jim Wells County Jail Fails Inspection

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

As a result of a March 18, 2024 inspection, Jim Wells County Jail has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for one jail violation. Jim Wells County Jail’s address is 611 E 3rd Street, Alice, Texas 78332. The bed capacity at the Alice jail is 88.

Jim Wells County Jail’s Violation

When detainees are confined in a detoxification cell or a holding cell, jailers are supposed to observe them in a face-to-face check at intervals that don’t exceed every 30 minutes. After an in-custody death of a detainee at Jim Wells County Jail, a review of video revealed that five observation rounds exceeded 30 minutes.

A 45-year-old male inmate at Jim Wells County Jail was admitted on February 6, 2024. Tragically, he died three days later on February 9. This is most likely the individual referred to in the jail inspection report. His cause of death is pending autopsy results, but the medical cause of death indicates the following:

  • The detainee had a medical episode and was transported to the hospital, where he later died. Toxicology and medical examiner reports are pending.

The custodial death report (CDR) indicates that the man had a pre-existing medical condition. After he was booked into the jail, he was housed in Holding Cell A. On February 8, he suffered a medical episode in the holding cell. Jail staff rendered aid, and the male detainee was moved to the booking area, where lifesaving measures were performed. He was then moved to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Another Custodial Death at Jim Wells County Jail

On January 31, 2018, 28-year-old Marcus Soza was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell. His death on February 1, 2018, was ruled a suicide–as per the Medical Examiner’s report, “asphyxia secondary to hanging.” The young man made suicidal statements during intake, and he was in a holding cell, where the rules concerning observations were the same as mentioned above.

In the special inspection report, a TCJS inspector noted that video evidence and documentation review combined with facility administration self-reporting showed that the 30-minute face-to-face observation prior to the inmate being discovered did not occur.

This inspection, in other words, indicates that jail neglect could possibly have occurred. However, we are only providing information with no intention of making an allegation or assertion that any person or entity engaged in misconduct or behaved inappropriately.

Has Jail Neglect Been the Cause of Tragedy in Your Life?

When medical jail neglect or other types of jail neglect have occurred, it is possible to hold a jail responsible for any resulting custodial deaths or life-altering injuries. Are you concerned that a loved one who died in jail was a victim of jail neglect such as medical jail neglect? At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have years of experience representing people who fell victim to jail neglect. In addition, we have a team diligently working on our jail neglect death cases. Don’t delay! Contact us today by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Gonzales County Jail Issued Notice of Noncompliance by State

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A notice of non-compliance was sent to Gonzales County Jail on March 20, 2024. The Gonzales, Texas, jail has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for one jail violation. The citation resulted from a January 19, 2024, jail inspection. A TCJS inspector found that inmates weren’t given 24-hour written notice before a hearing was held on facility rules violations. Gonzales County Jail’s address is 1713 E Sarah DeWitt Dr, Gonzales, TX 78629. The bed capacity at the Gonzales jail is 120.

Chronic Problems Lead to Unrest in County Jails

Being the entity detainees in Texas jails must bring their grievances to, TCJS is well familiar with complaints against Texas jails. There are problems in county and municipal jails in every state. Wisconsin has recently been in the spotlight, and the biggest reason is that 6 people died in the Milwaukee County Jail in the 14 months preceding September 11, 2023.

A major incident in August 2023 brought to light discontent among detainees in the Milwaukee jail. Inmates barricaded themselves in the library and refused to go to their cells. Their chief complaint was dissatisfaction with their gymnasium time coming to an end. The detainees expressed that they wanted more “open” recreational time.

It isn’t unusual for jail protests to arise against facility policies. In Milwaukee, people detained in the jail have reported several horrific conditions to a leader in a watchdog group. At the heart of it all is that 23-hour-a-day lockdowns have become commonplace. Large and small acts of civil disobedience become the order of the day, from self-harm to intentionally clogging the toilets.

Low Jail Staffing Can Result in Jail Neglect

There are certain challenges that many jails face today. For example, low staffing is a widespread concern. Detainees spend an increased amount of time within their cells when the staff is insufficient to allow for normal dayroom schedules.

When staffing is insufficient, detainees often obstruct the view into their cell, though a clear view is required to ensure their safety and security. Face-to-face observations are important in jails, where suicide is the leading cause of death. Supervision is the best deterrent to suicide.

Medical neglect can occur when, for instance, medications aren’t distributed as directed by physicians. After 41-year-old detainee Christopher Wayne Cabler died from suicide in Red River County Jail in Texas, it was determined that, allegedly, he was not administered the medications prescribed for him after a hospital visit during his incarceration.

It could cause medical issues if inmates in restraints aren’t checked every 15 minutes, as required in minimum jail standards. Gonzales County Jail was cited in 2023 after observation records showed that an inmate held in restraints was checked on every 20 minutes.

Do You Need Help With Possible Jail Neglect?

Jails can be held accountable for certain types of neglect, such as medical neglect. Has a family member died due to jail neglect or have you suffered a life-altering injury while incarcerated? Give our office a call without delay. We will look into your claim and determine whether it is a matter we can help you with. Call, text, or fill out our online form any time of the day or night.

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smchugh

Tori Huggins Dies After 16 Hours in Wood County Jail

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Tori Brianne Huggins, age 25, was booked into the Quitman, Texas, county jail approximately 16 hours before she was pronounced deceased. The cause of her death is currently unknown and pending autopsy results. She did not disclose any medical complaints nor did she appear intoxicated by drugs or alcohol during intake on March 20, 2024. The Wood County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) on March 28, 2024, concerning the custodial death.

Ms. Huggins had responded “yes” to several of the questions on the suicide screening form. For her safety, jailers placed her in padded cell B-4. The address of Wood County Jail is 402 S Stephens St, Quitman, TX 75783. The jail has a 157-bed capacity.

What Events Preceded the Custodial Death?

On the morning of March 21, jail staff entered Ms. Huggins’ cell at about 5:12 AM because she had not responded to a cell check. Jailers discovered that she was unresponsive. The jail staff began administering lifesaving measures, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was contacted. EMS arrived 10 minutes later and took over lifesaving measures. They transported her to a nearby hospital, where Ms. Huggins was pronounced deceased at 6 AM.

There is an indication that Ms. Huggins had made no medical complaints during the overnight cell checks. However, it was not verified that observations were made correctly or as frequently as required.

Are Jailers Responsible for Taking Appropriate Suicide Prevention Measures?

TCJS is the agency that establishes procedural requirements for county and municipal jails in Texas. Through TCJS, the State of Texas recognizes that preventing inmate suicide is a critical issue. Throughout the nation, suicide continues to be the leading cause of inmate deaths within jails, juvenile facilities, and prisons. The suicide rate among incarcerated individuals is generally between 9 to 14 times higher than that of the general population.

Jails in Texas must have comprehensive suicide prevention programs that include:

  • Staff training
  • Intake screening
  • Communications between jail staff
  • Safe and appropriate inmate housing
  • Frequent face-to-face observations
  • Prompt intervention
  • Human interaction between jail staff and detainees

Of these critical suicide prevention measures, face-to-face observations of inmates are recognized as being especially effective. But timing is also recognized as a vital issue. In Texas county jails and lockups, 24% of the suicides occur within the first 24 hours of incarceration, and the recent devastating loss of Ms. Huggins falls in this tragic category.

Texas Jails Often Neglect Face-to-Face Observations

During jail inspections, TCJS inspectors often find that Texas jails have failed to conduct face-to-face observations in the intervals required. This issue is often mentioned in connection with custodial deaths. It was revealed in an October 2023 notice of non-compliance that a custodial death occurred in Denton County Jail after a period of time in which jailers did not view the inmate face to face as required by minimum jail standards. Virtually the same message was conveyed in inspectors’ notes in a July 2023 notice of non-compliance sent to Llano County Jail.

Are You a Victim of Possible Jail Neglect?

Are you the family member of a loved one who died or were you incarcerated in a U.S. county jail and suffered life-altering injuries and suspect jail neglect was the cause? At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we care about the rights of inmates and their families. Our team dedicated to working on county jail death cases is backed by years of experience representing victims of jail neglect.

If you believe that jail neglect is behind a family member’s death or if severe injuries you are suffering from were possibly caused by jail neglect while you were incarcerated, reach out to us without delay. You can reach us 24/7. Call, text, or fill out our online form today.

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smchugh

Shelby County Jail is Found Noncompliant After a Detainee’s Death

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On February 26, 2024, inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) visited Shelby County Jail in Center, Texas, as a follow-up to a death. They were subsequently cited for one jail violation. This is now the sixth year in a row that TCJS cited the jail for failing to comply with minimum jail standards. Shelby County Jail’s address is 100 Hurst St, Center, TX 75935. The bed capacity at the Center jail is 66.

How Do Shelby County Jail’s Violations Do Possible Harm to Detainees?

2024 Violation

The special jail inspection that occurred in February 2024 alleges in the subsequent report that Shelby County Jail did not provide inmate supervision to the deceased as required. The jailers made observation rounds within the timeframe mandated but failed to view the inmate face-to-face, which is the requirement, per minimum jail standards.

How Could This Violation Have Caused Harm to the Inmate?

The custodial death report for the inmate likely referred to in this special jail inspection report does not reveal any particulars about the death. However, the fact that the inmate was potentially not checked on for hours could mean that life-saving opportunities were lost. For example, it is conceivable that he may have had a medical emergency and was unable to call out for help.

If the cause of death turns out to be suicide, the lack of proper observations may be considered a contributory cause of his death. Jail staff receive routine training on suicide prevention measures. Their training should include information about supervision being a primary deterrent for custodial suicides.

2023 Violations and Possible Results

Shelby County Jail violated the same rule cited above in 2023, as well. But they also failed to supervise inmates held in holding cells or detoxification cells. The inspector noted that jail staff routinely exceeded 30-minute observations, which are required.

Detainees in holding cells and detox cells are in the “at risk” category, which means heightened supervision is required. The goal of increased supervision is to prevent self-harm, such as suicide. Detainees in detox could experience a medical emergency resulting in death. Unfortunately, many inmates in municipal and county jails die from the effects of detoxification within hours of entering jail.

2022 Violations and Potential Harm to Inmates

A life safety equipment violation was one of the two that Shelby County Jail was cited for in July 2022. The lack of an active smoke detector could obviously result in catastrophe. The other violation involved a lack of training among jailers. A staff member, at the time of the inspection, was actively supervising inmates although he did not have a valid TCOLE Jailers License. This suggests a lack of training that, for multiple reasons, could have dire consequences for detainees. For instance, what are the procedures in the event of a fire or a medical emergency?

2021 Violation and its Possible Harmful Results

As a result of a March 2021 inspection, Shelby County Jail was cited for failing to show that medications were distributed to inmates in accordance with a doctor’s written instructions. This could point to medical neglect in the jail.

2019 Violation and Possible Consequences to Inmates

In January 2019, it was found that Shelby County Jail was non-compliant in the area of supervision and communication. The inspector’s notes then spelled out what the consequences may have been:

It was determined that the inmate worker was not observed “no less than once every 60 minutes,” as required. This allowed the inmate the opportunity to leave his assignment several times for up to 2.5 hours and engage in illegal activity.

Has Your Loved One Died as a Result of Jail Medical Neglect?

Our law offices routinely handle cases involving possible jail neglect and jail medical neglect. Our team dedicated to working on jail neglect death cases is actively defending families who have lost loved ones who died in jail. Being detained in jail is not supposed to be a death sentence. We care about your concerns. Don’t hesitate to contact us today. You can reach us at any time of the day or night via phone call, text, or our online form. In addition to jail death cases, we represent former jail inmates who suffered life-altering injuries due to jail neglect.

 

 

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smchugh

Inmate Scott Jones Dies at 49 in Bryan TX Jail

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3d interior Jail

Forty-nine-year-old Brazos County Jail detainee Scott Diangelo Jones died at 3:26 AM on January 26, 2024. Mr. Jones had entered the Bryan, Texas, jail 43 days earlier. When he was booked on December 12, 2023, he exhibited medical problems. The custodial death report (CDR) filed by the Brazos County Sheriff’s Department indicates that he did receive treatment for the medical condition that caused his death after admission into the jail. However, the cause of death is pending autopsy results. No specifics about the nature of his medical condition can be found in the CDR.

Information from the CDR’s summary of how Mr. Jones’ death occurred follows:

At about 2:09 AM on the day of his death, Mr. Jones got up from his bunk, went downstairs, and proceeded to the recreation yard. A Dorm Officer approached Mr. Jones to assess what was going on. The jailer identified that Mr. Jones appeared to be in medical distress. He called for medical assistance via radio at approximately 2:12 AM.

Certified Health Professional (CHP) Pratt arrived at the dorm 1 minute later to assess the situation. At 2:14 AM Sgt. Brown called emergency medical services (EMS). Sgt. Brown and Officer B. Martinez assisted Mr. Jones into a wheelchair at approximately 2:21 AM. He was escorted to the release corridor. EMS intercepted Mr. Jones at 2:24 AM and loaded him into the ambulance, escorted by Sgt. Ivey. The ambulance left the sallyport and headed to CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital at about 2:32 AM. A hospital physician pronounced Mr. Jones to be deceased at 3:26 AM.

Families of 14 Detainees Who Died in a U.S. Jail Demand an Investigation

The tragic reality is that happenings in U.S. jails are often evidence of blatant, shocking conditions. After a 14th custodial death within a year in a West Virginia jail, families made an outcry to the federal government to investigate cases of jail neglect. An advocacy group joined in the effort, claiming that many deaths have been both senseless and tragic.

Amidst other concerns, such as suspected medical neglect, is the fact that the 468-inmate-capacity jail had a population of 711 in March 2023, when the story was released. Overcrowding in jails is associated with increased violence, medical neglect, and other adverse situations.

Can You Discover if There Has Been Medical Neglect in Jails?

Detainees have a right to survive their incarceration in a U.S. jail, whether or not they are guilty of the crime(s) they are charged with, if their medical needs can be met by the jail. When inmates need it, they should receive medical attention, according to standard jail practices. When a jail inmate dies, there is an investigation into the events surrounding the death. In some cases, evidence allegedly shows that an inmate was denied necessary medical attention.

Who Can Help with Jail Medical Neglect?

Contact our offices if you have suffered severe problems or if a loved one has died as a result of jail medical neglect. Reasonable medical care is a constitutional right for pretrial detainees. Jailers can be held liable if they are found to be deliberately indifferent to inmates’ medical needs. Call us, text us, or fill out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Terence Colbert Dies on 2/10/24 in Hunt County TX Jail

Terence Regal Colbert entered Hunt County Jail in Greenville, Texas, on January 12, 2024, and died in the jail’s custody on February 10, 2024. Mr. Colbert was 41 years old when he died, and the cause of his death is currently unknown and pending autopsy results. However, several insights about his condition were noted at the time of booking. Mr. Colbert made suicidal statements and exhibited mental and medical health problems.

The custodial death report (CDR) filed by the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department on February 13, 2024, relates a possible clue to what may have happened. Although Mr. Colbert was in a single cell, the answer to a question about his death states “Unknown person(s) caused the injury.” The jail facility where Mr. Colbert was housed is at 2801 Stuart Street, Greenville TX 75401.

A Mental Health Crisis in U.S. Jails Puts Detainees At Risk

Statistics prove that a mental health crisis is occurring in Texas jails and throughout the nation. Unnecessary deaths can easily occur when mentally ill individuals are jailed rather than treated for their mental condition. An unnecessary death that occurred in Tarrant County highlights this problem, as follows.

Georgia Kay Baldwin Dies in Tarrant County Jail on 9/14/21

Georgia Kay Baldwin died at age 52 after about 4½ months in the Tarrant County Jail facility at 600 W. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, Texas 76196. She exhibited mental health problems at the time of booking on April 27, 2021.

On July 27, 2021, a transfer order to a state psychiatric facility hospital was ordered by a judge who recognized that Ms. Baldwin was severely mentally ill. There was and is a huge problem with complying with such orders, however. The waitlist to be admitted to a state psychiatric hospital at that time already had thousands of names on it. It might have taken many months or years before Ms. Baldwin could have been admitted.

After Ms. Baldwin died on September 14, 2021, the autopsy results showed that her cause of death was “severe hypernatremia, etiology undetermined.” Severe hypernatremia is an imbalance of sodium that usually results from dehydration. There was a water fountain in Ms. Baldwin’s single cell. It is reasonable to suspect, however, that because she was not under care for her potentially severe mental disability, it is possible that she could have neglected to hydrate herself to the point of death.

Statistics show that upwards of 44% of the detainees in city or county jails have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Among those who have been incarcerated three times within one year, 27% have a moderate or severe mental illness.

Hunt County Jail Violated Rules Meant to Protect the Mentally Ill

Among the past inspections by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) that Hunt County Jail in Texas has failed was a special jail inspection on April 2018. It was scheduled after a custodial death had occurred. The jail was cited for 10 alleged violations of minimum jail standards in that one report. Among the violations were at least two that exposed a lack of care toward adherence to the suicide prevention plan. Face-to-face observations every 10 minutes for suicidal detainees were not conducted in the timing mandated. Also, suicide prevention training among the jailers was neglected, which could affect the safety of mentally ill detainees.

Who Can Help with Deaths Resulting from Jail Neglect?

Our office is working on several jail death cases. If you have suffered severe repercussions after being in a U.S. jail or if a loved one has died and you suspect the death was the result of jail neglect, contact us today. Call us, text us, or complete our online form at any time of the day or night.

 

 

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smchugh
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