Category: Medical Care

At 5:20 PM on June 9, 2021, deputies with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department in Austin, Texas, approached Eddie Christian Vargas, a possible suspect in a crime, who was striking his forehead against roadway pavement. Deputies were attempting to restrain Mr. Vargas to prevent self-harm, but he actively resisted being detained. While being handcuffed, he became unresponsive and was pronounced dead at 6:35 PM.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has the responsibility of establishing operational guidelines for county jails. Various restraint systems have been approved by TCJS for the purpose of preventing inmates from hurting themselves or others. Handcuffs, leg irons, and restraint chairs are among the approved devices.  

Dangers of Restraint Chairs

Restraint chairs have been forbidden in numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States.  They are the most restrictive of the devices used on inmates in Texas county jails.  Many deaths have been associated with restraint chairs.  Even the manufacturers’ instructions for the chairs provide a strong indication of dangers associated with the restraint device.

Studies on restraint chairs show that there are specific health threats associated with them.  Inmates in restraint chairs are at risk of suffering from pulmonary embolisms or possibly fatal blood clots, especially if they are exposed to physical trauma just prior to being strapped in and immobilized. Unfortunately, most inmates experience physical trauma as they resist being detained in the chair. 

Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

This website never intends to suggest that a person or entity has been engaged in improprieties. The goal in adding posts to this site is to help inmates in county jails in Texas.

–Guest Contributor 

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, in Liberty, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of Scott Carl or Carl Scott. Mr. Carl or Mr. Scott was only 47 years old at the time of his death. There are inconsistences in information regarding his death, so we are uncertain as to the decedent’s correct name. We provide in this post information obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On 9/30/2021, at about 11:00 PM, Correctional Officer located Carl Scott conscious but not responding. Scatt was clenching and groaning, occasionally saying “ow”. After checking on Scott it was apparent that he was going to need to be transported for medical care. Officers started to transport Scott via county vehicle, the determination was made that EMS needed to assist. Officers transported Scott from his cell to book-in in a wheel chair. While in the book-in area Scott kept getting on the floor. A mattress was placed down on the floor for Scott until EMS arrived. Scott was then transported by EMS to the medical facility.”

Therefore, the report does not indicate anything regarding whether Mr. Carl/Scott had been previously periodically observed as required by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and/or whether jail staff knew of Mr. Carl/Scott having medical issues. The United States Constitution guarantees the right of pre-trial detainees to receive reasonable medical care. If a person in a Texas county jail does not receive reasonable medical care, and jailers are deliberately indifferent or act objectively unreasonably regarding that care, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to bring claims regarding that death.

The Liberty County Jail previously failed an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jails Standards:

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/dayton/news/article/Liberty-County-jail-removed-from-state-s-14868245.php

It is indicated in the custodial death report prepared on Eddie Christian Vargas by the Travis County Sheriff’s Department in Austin, Texas, that 6:35 PM on 6/9/2021 was his time and date of death. Mr. Vargas had only been in pre-booking custody since 5:20 PM the same day. The cause of death is pending autopsy results, and the report shows that no shooting was involved.

What Happens During the Booking Process? Continued

Continuing from the previous installment of this series, next, inmates are searched with more thoroughness than what occurs in the field. The level of search an inmate is subjected to is determined by the severity and type of offense. If an inmate has been arrested for a drug offense or has been in the past, he or she will most likely be strip-searched.

Depending upon the anticipated length of confinement, an inmate will be provided with jail clothing to change into. The following clothing items are provided: a jail uniform, sandals, a mattress, a mattress cover, a blanket, and a towel.

Everything that an individual brings into a jail cell can and will be searched. Personal items are all turned in voluntarily or by force, and the items are placed in storage. If contraband is brought into a county jail or any correctional facility, the inmate could be charged with a felony offense.

Jail personnel fill out a medical intake form on each inmate. A basic physical evaluation is included.

Learn more about what happens during the booking process in Part 1 of this ongoing series.

There is no intention on this website to suggest that a person or entity is a participant in misdeeds. Posts on this site aim to provide assistance to inmates in Texas county jails.

–Guest Contributor

Eddie Christian Vargas was in the custody of Travis County Sheriff’s Department in Austin, Texas, in pre-booking as of 5:20 pm on June 9, 2021. Tragically, the 25-year-old died minutes later at 6:35 pm. The manner and cause of death are pending autopsy results, according to the custodial death report prepared regarding the passing of Mr. Vargas.

What Happens During the Booking Process?

What happens when an individual is booked in a county jail in Texas is a uniform procedure throughout the state. The booking process is a reference to making a record of each detainee’s name, age, address, and reason for the arrest.

After the information is collected and entered online, a County Identification Number (CID) is assigned. The number is unique to each inmate and will be used for any future alleged criminal activity in the county for the remainder of his or her life. This number it is the best reference that can be used to locate past or pending cases regarding a particular inmate.

Next, inmates are asked a series of questions. They are then fingerprinted and given an iris scan.  As a record for the jail, a photograph is taken of each inmate. Fingerprints can be run online to compare for a potential match in other databases throughout the country to check for any additional warrants or outstanding criminal cases.

Learn more about what happens during the booking process in this ongoing series.

It is never intended on this website to infer wrongdoing on any person or organization. The goal in adding posts is to provide a helpful resource benefiting inmates now or previously incarcerated in a county jail in Texas.

–Guest Contributor

After 74 days in Hale County Jail in Plainview, Texas, Rick Dillon Criswell committed suicide. He was 25 years old at the time of his death on June 22, 2021. On that day, when he was being called for outside recreation time, Mr. Criswell was found hanging in his cell.

Another cost-effective tip for preventing inmate suicides follows.

Establish Strategic KPIs

To accentuate the importance of making cell checks, mandate that face-to-face cell checks constitute a key performance indicator (KPI) for continued employment, pay raises, and promotions. Stress that failure to fulfill this particular KPI is grounds for termination or suspension.

Training of jail staff members should include knowledge that a cell check is more than being there to glance into cells every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on where the inmates are housed. A cell check includes:

• If inmates are lying down, watch for signs of life, such as the rise and fall of their chest.
• Monitor and, when necessary, log whether an inmate is facing the wall or laying on the left or right side. Record any movement observed.
• Randomization of cell checks and security rounds is essential. Avoid predictable patterns of behavior among staff members. For instance, it is unacceptable for a jail staff member to frequently log a cell check every 13 minutes because the pattern lacks randomization. Essentially, detainees should not be able to accurately predict when the next cell check will occur.

Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

On this website, there is never an intention to suggest that a person or any entity has participated in wrongs. The posts on this site are added to help inmates currently and formerly incarcerated in Texas county jails.

–Guest Contributor

Rick Dillon Criswell had been incarcerated at Hale County Jail in Plainview, Texas, since April 10, 2021, when he committed suicide on June 22, 2021. The 25-year-old was in a single medical cell and died as a result of hanging himself.

The following are recommended cost-saving measures to help prevent custodial suicides.

Avoid Single Cells

Inmates are far less likely to make a suicide attempt when another person is present. County jails seeking solutions for suicide prevention that don’t add pressure to the budget can take advantage of this recommendation. Simply house suicidal inmates with other inmates who are nonviolent.

Position High-Risk Inmates in High-Traffic Areas

Booking areas in jails are high-traffic areas, making that part of jail facilities ideal for the placement of suicidal inmates. A larger number of staff members and many more eyes will be on at-risk inmates if their cells are in busy areas.

When you couple this recommendation with a heightened awareness of which inmates are particularly at risk for a suicide attempt, deaths can be prevented. For instance, studies show that 24% of jail suicides happen within the first 24 hours of intake. In addition, days 2 through day 14 are times when 27% of jail suicides occur. Place new inmates in high traffic areas, at least initially.

Learn more in Part 1 and this ongoing series.

It is not intended on this website to assert wrongdoing on the part of any individual or institution. Posts are added with the intent of assisting Texas inmates now or previously housed in a county jail.

–Guest Contributor

In San Antonio, Texas, on September 30, 2021, 38-year-old Charles Nicholas Norris was shot by a deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, according to the deceased’s custodial death report. Although he was injured from the gunshot wound, Mr. Norris was placed in handcuffs and leg irons for transport to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

An Inmate Dies After Being Tased in a Restraint Chair

A 21-year-old inmate at a county jail outside of Texas was acting out while going through a bipolar episode at the time of his arrest. A violent altercation with jailers resulted in several of the jail staff being injured and the inmate being placed in a restraint chair. After he was strapped into the chair, the inmate was tased. Later that day, a jailer discovered that the inmate was unresponsive in the chair. After he was transported to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead.

After the young man’s death, his girlfriend shared that she had given the inmate’s medication to arresting deputies, but the inmate never received medical care or medication.

Sadly, there are many more stories about the deaths of inmates after being placed in a restraint chair. Research shows that disturbing behaviors are common, such as tasing an inmate who is strapped into a restraint chair and denying them access to a restroom, resulting in their urinating and defecating on themselves.

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

There is no intention to suggest on this website that any person or institution has engaged in wrongdoing of any kind. The goal in adding posts to this website is to help inmates now or previously incarcerated in a county jail in Texas.

–Guest Contributor

The Terrell County Jail, in Sanderson, Texas, failed an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (“TCJS”). The inspection occurred on September 27, 2021. The TCJS inspector found that the jail violated seven minimum jail standards, some of which we mention here.

The TCJS inspector determined that the Terrell County jail had not conducted quarterly fire drills and emergency training during the prior twelve months. There also was not quarterly fire prevention documentation for the prior twelve months, nor was there an inspection of the jail by a local fire official during the prior year. Quarterly air pack training also had not been conducted in a year. The jail’s generator had not been tested during the inspection, and no staff had knowledge as to how to perform the load test. No load tests had been conducted during the prior year. Health inspections had not been conducted during the prior year, and jail administration were advised by the TCJS inspector that they could not house inmates until the inspection was completed.

Finally, and very concerning, the jail had not conducted suicide prevention training for staff during the prior twelve months in accordance with the jail’s operational plan. Our Texas law firm unfortunately handles a significant number of jail suicide cases. It is critical that jail staff be trained regarding suicides, including warning signs and the necessity of continuous monitoring of suicidal inmates. Hopefully, the Terrell County, Texas jail will bring itself into compliance with minimum jail standards.

Charles Nicholas Norris died at age 38 on September 30, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. While Mr. Norris had allegedly been driving away from officers with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for the purpose of evasion, a deputy shot him. Mr. Norris was placed in handcuffs and leg irons during transportation to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

An Inmate Having Seizures is Strapped Into a Restraint Chair

Continuing from Part 1 in this series, another incident involving a custodial death and a restraint chair has also been made public. An inmate in a county jail outside of Texas was allegedly behaving in a disruptive manner. The inmate began puking as he was having epileptic seizures.

The jail guards knew that the inmate was epileptic and, yet, they placed him in a restraint chair. The inmate was left alone. No one had cleared his airway or helped him to breathe, and he died in the restraint chair. According to an autopsy that was performed after his death, the inmate choked to death on his own vomit.

Learn more in Part 1 and this ongoing series. In the next segment, learn details of the death of a 21-year-old inmate in a county jail outside of Texas. His death also involved being strapped in a restraint chair. Family members provided numerous details about the man’s alleged lack of appropriate medical care at the jail during his incarceration.

This website never has the intention of implying that any individual or organization has been engaged in wrongdoing. Helping current as well as former inmates in Texas county jails is the purpose of posts on this site.

–Guest Contributor

While evading arrest, Charles Nicholas Norris was shot and killed by a deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in San Antonio, Texas, according to the custodial death report filed about his passing. Mr. Norris was 38 years old at the time of his death.

When inmates in county jail settings are behaving in a manner that threatens their own safety or the safety of others, a restraint device can be used to mitigate the situation. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has approved the use of a variety of restraint devices. Restraint chairs are among the devices available to county jails in the state. Unfortunately, there have been numerous reports that restraint chairs are hazardous. Many custodial deaths have been associated with restraint chairs. The following is an example from outside of Texas.

A Tragic Death in a Restraint Chair

The tragic story of an inmate outside of Texas has been made public through a prison-related publication. The prisoner, tragically, died while in a restraint chair. The following is a summary of what happened.

In October 2013, a prisoner who had been accused of serious crimes began beating his head against the toilet and wall in his cell. In response, a video shows that eight guards went to the man’s cell. The inmate was known to be mentally ill with violent tendencies. A deputy reportedly punched the inmate at least 12 times in the stomach.

Eventually, the inmate was strapped into a restraint chair, and a football helmet was placed on his head. The inmate was almost entirely immobilized in the restraint chair. Blood was dripping down his face. He was left alone in the cell while strapped in the chair. He continued banging his head against the wall.

Having not received any medical attention, the inmate was found dead in the restraint chair within two hours.

Learn more in this ongoing series.

It is not intended on this website to make an implication that any person or entity has participated in improprieties of any sort. Assisting inmates in Texas county jails is the purpose of every post on this site.

–Guest Contributor