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Category: Jail Inspections

Texas Jails Receive New Procedures for the Investigation of Complaints

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The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent all sheriffs and jail administrators in the state Technical Assistance Memo #25-01 regarding complaint documentation. The May 7, 2025, memo states that procedures are being updated in response to the overwhelming number of complaints received.

TCJS has been responsible for receiving and addressing complaints up to now. Quite a few recent notices of non-compliance have been regarding complaints and have reflected evidence of painstaking scrutiny. For example, in May 2025, Coryell County Jail was cited in response to a complaint. Investigations uncovered that out of 761 medication administration records (MARs), 91 were missed or inaccurate.

Jails have been advised that moving forward, new procedures will be followed in which complaints will be sent to the appropriate jail through a file share program TCJS uses called “Box.” Notifications regarding the complaints will be addressed to both the Sheriff and Jail Administrator, and they will have the responsibility for either an investigation of the complaint against that jail facility or for ensuring that an investigation is conducted. Results of their findings must be sent to the Commission within the timeframe specified in the Box notification. Complaint responses sent to TCJS must include:

  • Summary of the Complaint: A concise description of the issue.
  • Findings: A summary of the results of the investigation into the complaint.
  • Supporting Documentation: All evidence supporting the findings, which may either confirm areas of concern or refute the complaint.

Sheriffs and jail administrators are advised that their agency may receive either Technical Assistance or a notice of non-compliance if supporting documentation is not provided and the Commission determines the complaint to be founded due to a lack of sufficient evidence to the contrary. In addition, in cases where a complaint results in the issuance of a notice of non-compliance, the agencies may submit documentation through the appeal process within 5 days for review.

Although the list is admittedly not comprehensive, the memo provides examples of the types of documentation that TCJS is looking for in answer to complaints. Any documentation an agency may feel is relevant is asked to be included in complaint responses. The following are examples of documentation that may be included in addressing medical complaints:

  • Initial medical intake / suicide screening form
  • Magistrate notification
  • Doctors’ orders
  • MARS
  • Blood pressure, blood sugar, dressing change log
  • Sick calls
  • Please confirm if your medical provider has a policy or standing order regarding inmate diagnoses. If so, please provide the relevant documentation.

According to a TCJS 2024 Annual Report, the total number of written requests for a complaint review or inmate assistance in 2024 was 4,307. Of those, 1,573 or 36.5% of the complaints against Texas jails were in regard to medical services. The second greatest number of complaints was about officer actions, of which there were 722. Other areas about which there was a high volume of complaints include sanitation (563), food service (513), classification (419), grievances (402), and legal issues (288).

Seeking Justice for a Jail Suicide That Should Have Been Prevented

Being incarcerated does not erase a person’s constitutional rights. If someone you love died by suicide while held in a city or county jail and you suspect their mental or physical health needs were ignored, it’s important to act swiftly. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on cases involving deaths in custody, particularly those involving overlooked warning signs and inadequate medical care.

Our firm is committed to helping families uncover the truth and pursue accountability. Connect with us anytime by phone, text, or through our online form. Your family deserves answers—and justice.

 

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smchugh

Coryell County Jail is Found Noncompliant for a 7th Year

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3d interior Jail

For the seventh year in a row, the Coryell County Jail has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for noncompliance with minimum jail standards. After a special jail inspection of the Gatesville, Texas jail, the latest jail inspection report was issued on May 2, 2025. Coryell County Jail is currently listed as non-compliant on the TCJS website. A notice of noncompliance was issued to the jail on May 6, 2025. The jail allegedly violated a rule relating to health records. The gist of the inspectors’ notes follows:

  • In response to a complaint received “for” an inmate from Coryell County Jail, a special inspection was conducted. It was determined that medical records were not maintained accurately and clearly to reflect the inmate’s medical treatment with 91 out of 761 missed or inaccurate medication administration records (MARs).

The address of Coryell County Jail is 510 E Leon St, Gatesville, TX 76528. The jail’s rated capacity is 139 beds. However, to comply with state requirements, the jail can only house up to 125 detainees.

A 22-Year-Old Detainee in Boulder County Jail Dies from Alleged Medical Neglect

Avery James Borkovec died a tragically painful death after being arrested in September 2022 and transferred to Boulder County Jail on October 7, 2022. The conditions he suffered from while at Boulder County Jail included staph bacteremia, endocarditis, and sepsis—each is an easily treatable condition. An investigation into Mr. Borkovec’s death found that the 22-year-old never received appropriate care. As a result, his death was protracted and excruciatingly painful, in addition to being preventable.

Fellow inmates observed that Mr. Borkovec was obviously in need of emergency care in a hospital. He was jaundiced, thin, pale, frail, and lethargic. He obviously struggled to breathe, and he was coughing up blood. Mr. Borkovec reported multiple problems over a span of weeks, including extreme tooth pain, significant weight loss, migraines, vomiting, and fatigue.

Rather than send Mr. Borkovec to the hospital, the healthcare staff allegedly administered ineffectual over-the-counter drugs in various combinations that did nothing to treat his serious infection. Records allegedly show that in the 26 days he was in Boulder County Jail, his vital signs were measured just three times. Other inmates were becoming increasingly disturbed and frequently called for deputies to help Mr. Borkovec.

Avery Borkovec died in Boulder County Jail on November 3, 2022. An autopsy conducted by the county coroner found infectious vegetative endocarditis had caused heart lesions. Mr. Borkovec’s lungs were filled with fluid and weighed more than twice as much as a healthy pair of lungs. Other findings were also mentioned, including an acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

The address of Boulder County Jail is 3200 Airport Rd, Boulder, CO 80301.

Reliable Legal Advocacy for Inmate Medical Neglect

If you believe a loved one died in a city or county jail due to inadequate medical care, mistreatment, or neglect, it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation. The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. is dedicated to supporting families who have lost someone while in custody and understands the legal complexities surrounding these heartbreaking situations.

Reach out today by phone, text, or through our secure online form to discuss your legal options.

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smchugh

Harris County Jail is Found Non-Compliant by TCJS Yet Again

Front of Jail Cell

There are currently two Harris County notices of non-compliance on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website; there have been at least 14 such notices issued since 2020. The latest was sent on May 6, 2025, as a follow-up to a special jail inspection report issued on April 28, 2025. TCJS inspectors found that Harris County Jail violated one minimum jail standard. The inspectors’ note about the jail’s failure to follow procedures for prompt and efficient care for acute and emergency situations conveys the following:

  • During a complaint investigation, it was found that the inmate did not receive a medical evaluation after submitting an emergency request/sick call. The medical staff was unable to conduct an assessment at that time due to the absence of the jailer assigned to triage.

Harris County Jail’s address is 701 N San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77002. The jail system in Houston has a design capacity of approximately 9,434 beds for detainees.

A Woman Dies of Sepsis After Her Cries Are Allegedly Ignored

A 45-year-old woman died after incarceration in a U.S. county jail. Her family alleges that she had been suffering from severe abdominal pain, and her cries were ignored. She died on April 22, 2023, of acute sepsis and organ failure.

Any time sepsis is a detainee’s cause of death, it is reasonable to assume that it is a red flag signifying that timely medical care may have been denied. Although the symptoms of sepsis could be signs of other problems, they should not be ignored. Many times, when an individual dies from sepsis, it is determined that his or her death was preventable. Simply providing needed antibiotics is the action that was needed.

Jails Can Be Held Accountable for Medical Neglect

When someone dies in the custody of a jail and family members believe that medical negligence may have been involved, it is important to take action right away. Contact an attorney with experience in jail death cases to pursue justice. The Offices of Dean Malone has been focusing on these types of cases for years and has gained valuable experience in asserting families’ rights.

In a Texas county jail, a 43-year-old man died in December 2024. At the time of his death, sepsis was suspected because the hospital he was transported to treated him for sepsis and septic shock. After the autopsy was completed, the medical examiner wrote his opinion that the man died as a result of severe sepsis. An investigation would be required to determine whether there was negligence on the jail’s part that may have resulted in the detainee’s untimely death.

Need Legal Guidance After a Jail Tragedy?

Many incarcerated individuals with chronic health conditions are denied essential medical care while in custody—a troubling and often overlooked issue. If you’ve lost a loved one while they were held in a jail and believe medical neglect, abuse, or mistreatment may have been a factor, it’s critical to speak with an experienced attorney without delay.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. focuses on cases involving deaths that occur in custody. Our team has spent years pursuing justice for families affected by jail negligence, preventable suicides, and failure to provide proper medical care.

Call, text, or complete our secure online form today.

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smchugh

Montague County Jail is Cited for a Suicide Training Violation

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3d interior Jail

Montague County Jail was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on April 23, 2025. This followed the issuance of a jail inspection report a day earlier in which TCJS inspectors list one violation against minimum jail standards. Montague County Jail is now included in the list of non-compliant jails in Texas on the TCJS website.

The alleged violation that the Montague County Jail has been cited for involves mental disabilities and suicide prevention. When the suicide prevention training records were reviewed, TCJS inspectors found the following:

  • It has been determined that not all the jail staff at Montague County Jail have completed suicide prevention training in accordance with the operational plan approved for the facility.

Montague County Jail is located at 111 S Grand Street, Montague, Texas 76251. The inmate capacity is 101.

A Suicide that Occurred in Polk County Jail in Iowa Made Recent News

Please note that graphic details follow.

Using recent statistics, it has been estimated that 24% to 35% of annual deaths in county and city jails are due to suicide. A 2013 suicide in Polk County Jail, Des Moines, IA, was captured on video and provides graphic evidence that help is needed to prevent jail suicides. Douglas Ramsey reportedly told jail officials that he was suicidal just before making a successful attempt to kill himself. A video, which is currently posted online, shows him being brought into the jail and escorted down a hall by a deputy.

Mr. Ramsey turned back and is seen running away from the deputy who had been escorting him. Tragically, Mr. Ramsey rammed his head into a concrete wall, then fell and slammed his head multiple times against the concrete floor (not visible on the video). He is heard asking the staff to kill him. Mr. Ramsey was taken to a hospital, where he died two weeks later from his self-inflicted injuries. The address of Polk County Jail is 1985 NE 51st Pl, Des Moines, IA 50313

Four Suicides in Bibb County Jail GA are Scrutinized

In a May 2025 article, four suicides that have occurred in Bibb County Jail since 2020 are discussed. The families of two of those inmates, Dakota Smithers and Troyce Billingslea, have expressed their concerns that more should have been done to protect and save their loved ones.

Details provided about Mr. Billingslea indicate that he died alone in his cell on September 3, 2023. Just hours after his cries for help were ignored, Mr. Billingslea was discovered hanging from a makeshift ligature fashioned from a blanket. He had repeatedly expressed his suicidal ideations, which were reportedly witnessed by inmates who conveyed the information to jail staff. His vulnerability was allegedly dismissed by the jail’s medical professionals. The address of Bibb County Jail is 668 Oglethorpe St, Macon, GA 31201.

Pursuing Justice After a Preventable Jail Suicide

No one loses their fundamental constitutional rights simply because they are behind bars. If your loved one died by suicide in a county or city jail and you believe their medical or mental health needs were neglected, prompt legal action is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. concentrates on in-custody death cases, especially those involving preventable suicides and serious lapses in medical care. We work tirelessly to hold jails accountable for these avoidable tragedies.

We’re here to help families find answers and pursue justice. Contact us via phone, text, or our online form. Your family’s voice deserves to be heard.

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smchugh

Wilson County Jail is Cited for Failing to Distribute Medications

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Wilson County Jail was listed for noncompliance on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website twice in 2024 and has now failed an April 2025 inspection. After a recent special jail inspection, a jail inspection report was issued on April 15, 2025. Two days later, TCJS sent Wilson County Jail a notice of non-compliance for violating a minimum standard requiring that prescriptions should be distributed by an appropriate person designated by the sheriff/operator in accordance with written instructions from a physician. TCJS inspectors wrote the following about the jail’s alleged non-compliance:

  • While investigating complaint case #40291, documentation revealed that the MARS sheet was missing entries and was not properly filled out. There were 22 of 585 missed medications from December 2024 to February 2025. One medication was missed for 9 days in a row.

Wilson County Jail is located at 800 10th Street, Floresville, Texas 78114. The jail has 160 beds.

A 24-year-old Inmate Died After Smith County Jail Allegedly Withheld Required Medication

Twenty-four-year-old Dvonte Marquese Valentine entered Smith County Jail on November 16, 2022. Just 12 days later, on November 28, 2022, he fell, suffered an injury, and was transported to Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Physicians determined that Mr. Valentine had suffered organ failure. Tragically, he died in the hospital on December 4, 2022.

Mr. Valentine’s family is fighting on his behalf, claiming that the steroid medication he had required to stay alive had not been administered in the jail. Counsel for the family, Dean Malone, said that the steroids went into a locker with the young man’s other property. The autopsy report concluded that Mr. Valentine never received his medication while he was incarcerated.

Mr. Valentine had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a genetic disorder that affects the adrenal glands. He was aware that he needed his steroid medication to remain alive.

Michael Shelton Died of Diabetic Ketoacidosis After Being Denied Insulin in Harris County Jail

Michael Shelton died just 5 days after his incarceration in Harris County Jail, Houston, Texas. After being booked into the jail on March 22, 2022, he was not provided with his life-sustaining insulin. After his March 27, 2022, death, the medical examiner determined that diabetic ketoacidosis was his cause of death.

It is widely recognized and accepted that a lack of insulin in diabetics can naturally result in death caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. Denying inmates necessary medications is an egregious act that should be held accountable.

Need Legal Guidance for a Jail Neglect Case?

Research shows that a significant number of individuals in local U.S. jails with ongoing health issues do not receive the medical attention they need—an alarming issue. If someone you love died while in custody at a jail and you believe mistreatment or lack of proper medical care played a role, you may have grounds to take legal action. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on cases involving deaths in custody, including those caused by medical negligence or suicide.

Please don’t hesitate to act. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Dimmit County Jail Fails in the Supervision of Inmates in Restraint Chairs

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After a special jail inspection of Dimmit County Jail, a jail inspection report was issued to the Carrizo Springs, Texas, detention facility on April 11, 2025. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent a notice of non-compliance to Dimmit County Jail on April 17, 2025, advising them of the violation of one minimum jail standard. In addition, the jail is now listed on the TCJS website’s non-compliance page.

TCJS inspectors found that Dimmit County Jail has failed to comply with one rule under health services that pertains to restraints, as follows:

  • It was discovered at the time of the inspection that restraint chair observations exceeded the 15-minute requirement.

Restraint chairs are controversial in that they are associated with widespread abuse in jails and prisons throughout the U.S. The lives of inmates are put at risk if certain precautions are ignored. The importance of checking on inmates in restraint chairs every 15 minutes is stressed by manufacturers of restraint chairs.

Dimmit County Jail is located at 669 Industrial Blvd. in Carrizo Springs, Texas 78834. The bed capacity is 95.

An Inmate at San Luis Obispo County Jail Dies After Release from a Restraint Chair

The death of 36-year-old Andrew Holland on January 22, 2017, is a grim confirmation of the danger of developing a blood clot while held in a restraint chair. While Mr. Holland was incarcerated in California’s San Luis Obispo County Jail, he was placed in a restraint chair that utilizes a seven-point harness system, soft ankle and wrist straps, and “ergonomic pockets” for each leg. Restraint chair manufacturers stress that the maximum amount of time in a restraint chair should never exceed eight hours. However, Mr. Holland was forced to remain in the chair for just shy of 48 hours.

Shortly after Mr. Holland was released from the chair, he appeared to be having trouble breathing. Minutes later, he apparently stopped moving. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. After conducting an autopsy, the medical examiner determined that Mr. Holland had died from a blood clot in an artery in his right lung.

The danger of developing blood clots while restrained in a restraint chair is widely understood. Keeping any inmate for a longer time than the maximum of 8 hours increases the danger of blood clots, and jails should be held accountable for placing detainees in such a life-threatening situation.

The address of San Luis Obispo County Jail is 1585 Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.

Compassionate Legal Help for Jail Neglect and Medical Mistreatment

If you suspect that your loved one lost their life while incarcerated in a Texas jail because of abuse, neglect, or denied medical care, it’s important to act quickly. The Law Offices of Dean Malone is committed to standing up for the rights of inmates and their families in cases involving in-custody deaths tied to negligence. Our legal team has deep experience handling these challenging and emotional cases, working to ensure accountability.

If jail mistreatment contributed to your family member’s death, we’re here to listen and help if we can. Contact us today by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

TCJS Cites Oldham County Jail for Non-Compliance with Minimum Standards

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The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website currently lists Oldham County Jail for non-compliance. Following an inspection, a jail inspection report was issued on March 19, 2025. Subsequently, a notice of non-compliance was sent to the Vega, Texas, jail on April 3, 2025. TCJS inspectors discovered that Oldham County Jail was in violation of one minimum jail standard.

The following information about Oldham County Jail’s non-compliance is derived from TCJS inspectors’ notes:

  • Suicide prevention training records were reviewed, and it was determined that not all jail staff have completed training in accordance with the facility-approved operational plan. The plan states that jail staff will receive 4 hours of training annually. Three (3) jailers did not receive training during CY23, two (2) jailers did not receive training during CY24, and two (2) jailers did not receive training during CY23 and CY24.

Oldham County Jail’s address is 105 S Main Street, Vega, Texas 79092. The inmate capacity is 10.

Inmates in Local Jails are at a Heightened Risk for Suicide

Statistics on inmate deaths by suicide show that the risk is much greater in municipal and county jails as compared with prisons. An in-depth study in a 2021 report showed that 50% of the total number of suicides in all U.S. correctional facilities occurred in local jails in 2019. That year, 355 jail detainees died by suicide, and most of them hadn’t been adjudicated.

Preventing self-harm in acts such as suicide is among the obligations of jails. Suicide prevention training is a standard requirement for all jail staff members. If inmates are potentially suicidal, there is a clear duty to take appropriate steps. When these core responsibilities are neglected and preventable suicides occur, jails can be held accountable. Families are urged to seek legal help without delay if they suspect their loved one may have died from a jail suicide that could and should have been prevented.

Families Seek Justice for Jail Suicides

Kacey D. Horn died by suicide at the age of 28 on March 1, 2022. She was an inmate at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail when she took her own life. Ms. Horn’s mother, Brandi Funkhouser, sought justice on her daughter’s behalf. Ms. Horn had made previous attempts to harm herself at the facility. Allegedly, the jail failed to ensure proper monitoring, care, and evaluation upon her return to the jail. The Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail is located at 6601 Winchester Road, Front Royal, VA 22630.

Donald John Anderson was 53 when he was booked into the Kent County Correctional Facility on February 21, 2021. Mr. Anderson had a history of serious psychiatric treatments and needs, including suicidal ideation. The jail allegedly failed in their responsibility to prevent self-harm, his mother alleges, because, tragically, he died by suicide on March 3, 2021. The address of Kent County Correctional Facility is 703 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Looking for Legal Support in a Jail Negligence Case?

Reports reveal that nearly 70% of individuals in local U.S. jails living with chronic health issues do not receive the medical attention they need—a deeply concerning reality. If your loved one passed away while in custody and you suspect abuse or medical neglect played a role, it’s important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, our legal team is dedicated to cases involving deaths in custody. We bring years of focused experience to matters involving jail-related medical neglect, suicides, and mistreatment.

Contact us today by phone, text, or through our secure online form.

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smchugh

McCulloch County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance

Front of Jail Cell

The McCulloch County Jail is currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website due to non-compliance with minimum jail standards. A special jail inspection of the Brady, Texas jail resulted in the issuance of a notice of non-compliance on April 2, 2025. TCJS inspectors found that the McCulloch County Jail has violated three minimum standards of operation.

A lack of proper supervision is the type of non-compliance discovered in two of the rules violated. TCJS inspectors’ notes reveal the thoroughness that was applied in scrutinizing the jail’s records, as follows:

  • McCulloch County Jail staff exceeded the 30-minute time requirement for face-to-face observations of inmates in holding cells by from 1 minute to 4 hours a total of 750 times out of 2,732 checks conducted.
  • With regard to the supervision of housed inmates, the staff exceeded the 30-minute time requirement for at-risk inmates by from 1 minute to 3 hours a total of 1,152 times out of 3,760 checks conducted. In addition, the staff exceeded the 60-minute time requirement for the general population by from 1 minute to 3 hours a total of 1,222 times out of 10,399 checks conducted. At-risk inmates are those known to be potentially suicidal, assaultive, or mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior.

The third violation was related to reassessments of the classification of inmates. Inspectors’ notes follow:

  • Out of 23 reclassifications reviewed, 5 of the inmates did not have a custody reassessment completed within 90 days.

The address of McCulloch County Jail is 300 W Main Street, Brady, Texas 76825. The inmate capacity is 66.

A Disturbing Case of Alleged Inmate Abuse

Detainee Anthony “Tony” Mitchell was arrested on January 12, 2023, during a welfare check and placed in Walker County Jail in Jasper, Alabama. Mr. Mitchell died in the jail’s custody just two weeks later on January 26, 2023. The shocking actions of deputies and jail staff have since emerged during investigations into his alleged wrongful death.

During the arrest, a deputy allegedly stomped on Mr. Mitchell’s genitals while he was handcuffed on the ground. The same officer, along with one other deputy, reportedly rammed Mr. Mitchell’s legs into the patrol car’s exterior and kicked him.

A former deputy has since been fired from the department after she allegedly leaked footage of the abuse of Mr. Mitchell by deputies. In addition, nine former employees of Walker County Jail have pleaded guilty to crimes against Mr. Mitchell, ranging from negligence to abuse.

After being placed in a cell at Walker County Jail, Mr. Mitchell suffered hypothermia and medical neglect, conditions which were both listed as causes of his death.

Trusted Legal Representation for Jail Medical Neglect Cases

If you suspect that a family member passed away in a county or city jail due to poor medical treatment, abuse, or neglect, it’s important to have knowledgeable legal counsel on your side. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on advocating for families affected by in-custody deaths and understand the unique legal challenges these tragic cases present.

Contact us—by phone, text, or through our online form—to explore your legal options.

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smchugh

Callahan County Jail is Found Non-Compliant After a March 2025 Inspection

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Callahan County Jail was sent a notice of non-compliance after a March 27, 2025, special jail inspection. The Baird, Texas, jail is now listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website, along with other non-compliant jails in the state. Callahan County Jail allegedly violated two minimum jail standards. TCJS inspectors’ notes described the violations as follows:

  • Adequate records with regard to life safety plans, drills, and inspection of equipment were not kept and were not readily available for inspection as required. The records that were submitted were incomplete at the time of review.
  • Three of five inmate files that were reviewed were classified improperly, utilizing current offense, offense history, prior convictions, or escape.

Callahan County Jail is located at 432 Market Street in Baird, Texas 79504. The jail’s bed capacity is 10.

How an Inmate May Be Harmed by Misclassification

The misclassification of inmates can have a profoundly detrimental impact on inmates’ lives. Under Texas rules, detainees shall be classified and housed in the least restrictive housing available without endangering other detainees, jail staff, or the public. It is always appropriate to determine whether misclassification of inmates was involved whenever there is inmate-on-inmate violence.

  • In Fulton County Jail in Atlanta GA, inmate Leonard Fortner was stabbed to death by fellow inmate Edward Cherry with a shank. His family is seeking justice for their loved one who was booked into the jail on a minor, non-violent charge. The address of Fulton County Jail is 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Callahan County Jail is Found Non-Compliant After an Inmate Suicide

In April 2019, Callahan County Jail was cited for non-compliance with two minimum jail standards. The special jail inspection was conducted after the death of a female inmate. The detainee had been discovered in the visitation area of the jail with a metal telephone cord wrapped around her neck. The tragic incident happened during the booking process. The woman, who was intoxicated, was placed in the visitation area to change clothes at 11:33 PM. She was discovered at 11:47 PM. Lifesaving measures were administered. Sadly, she was pronounced deceased two days later.

Another inmate suicide occurred in Callahan County Jail in November 2011. A 57-year-old man secured a sheet to the top portion of his cell. He then tied that same sheet around his neck, cutting off airflow. He was pronounced deceased three days later, and his means of death was hanging, strangulation.

Justice for a Jail Suicide That Could Have Been Prevented

Being in jail does not mean a person gives up their basic constitutional rights. If you believe that a loved one’s death in a county or municipal jail was the result of ignored medical needs or negligence, it’s important to act quickly. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on cases involving in-custody deaths— predominantly preventable suicides and medical neglect cases—and are dedicated to holding correctional facilities responsible for their failures.

Our team is here to support families seeking answers and justice. You can reach out to us any time—by phone, text, or through our online form. We’re committed to asserting the rights of incarcerated individuals and their family members.

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smchugh

Leon County Jail Fails a Fourth Annual Inspection

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For the fourth year in a row, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has placed Leon County Jail on the TCJS website’s list of non-compliant jails. A notice of non-compliance was sent to Leon County Jail on March 27, 2025. On the previous day, a jail inspection report was issued that shows the Centerville, Texas, jail violated five minimum jail standards.

The non-compliance notice lists a violation of Rule 283.54 but then the wording shown is actually under Rule §263.54-Equipment in the chapter on Life Safety Rules. TCJS inspectors’ notes convey the following:

  • Facility staff were unable to properly respond to a conducted fire drill. Staff were unable to utilize the facility’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and advised that they have received training in the use of the SCBA.

Leon County Jail also violated Rule §265.13(a)-Verify Veteran Status, which is under the chapter on admission into the jail. TCJS inspectors’ insights follow:

  • During the review of records, it was learned that staff have not verified the veteran status of each prisoner by using data made available from the Veterans Reentry Search Service (VRSS) operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or similar service since November 2024.

Allegedly, Leon County Jail also failed to comply with the required inspections under the sanitation plan. Inspectors also discovered that only one staff member possessed a valid food handlers license, and that individual was not present on the day of the inspection. And, finally, the fifth violation was failing to comply with rules regarding physical exercise and recreation.

Leon County Jail is at 606 E Saint Mary’s St., Centerville TX 75833. The jail’s bed capacity is 53.

A Man Died in a Colorado Jail After Being Denied Medical Care for A Week

In March 2025 news out of Denver, the 2023 death of 69-year-old Michael Burch in Huerfano County Jail has been ruled a homicide. Mr. Burch had a history of mental health problems, and he got into a struggle with deputies in the rural Colorado jail. He did not receive medical attention, although, before his death, he obviously began to struggle painfully for every breath.

The autopsy revealed that, during the altercation with deputies, six of Mr. Burch’s ribs on his right side had been broken and his right lung collapsed. It was a violation of Mr. Burch’s rights that, after receiving fatal injuries in Huerfano County Jail, nothing was done to treat those injuries. Tragically, Mr. Burch died after a week of suffering in a jail cell due to medical neglect.

The address of Huerfano County Jail is 500 S Albert Ave, Walsenburg, CO 81089.

Support for Families Affected by Jail Medical Negligence

If you believe a loved one lost their life in a jail due to mistreatment, abuse, or lack of proper medical care, it’s important to consult with a legal team that understands the serious nature of these situations. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on representing families in wrongful death cases, including those involving jail suicides and medical neglect. Our team brings extensive knowledge and experience to these deeply personal and challenging cases.

We’re here to listen, and we help whenever possible. Reach out anytime—day or night—by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh
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