Category: Medical Care

The Harris County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report regarding the death of Billy Wayne Dunn. Mr. Dunn was only 47 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make not allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On September 23, 2021, the decedent was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail. On September 28, 2021, detention staff was conducting visual observations of inmates inside cellblock 6L2 and observed the decedent with a sheet tied around his neck and the top of the cell door. Staff removed the sheet from the decedent’s neck, notified medical staff, and started CPR. Medical staff responded, continued CPR, and transported the decedent to the clinic. Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived, assumed care, and transported the decedent to St Joseph Hospital. Hospital staff continued CPR, and Dr. Shin pronounced death at 1:41 p.m.”

Oddly, in response to the field in the report which reads “make suicidal statements,” the Harris County Sheriff’s Department responded, “Unknown.” The Department also responded to the field asking whether Mr. Dunn exhibited any mental health problems with “Unknown.” The report even indicates that the County did not know whether Mr. Dunn exhibited any medical problems.

It is difficult to believe that the County did not know whether Mr. Dunn made suicidal statements, exhibited any mental health problems, or had any medical issues. If in fact the county was completely unaware of such issues, it may not have conducted a proper jail intake. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (“TCJS”) has a specified intake screening form. That form screens primarily for mental health issues, but it also screens for medical issues.

Harris County jailers recently sued the County as a result of working conditions in the jail. It appears that the Harris County jail has had significant issues for a period of time. Unfortunately, these issues could lead to serious injury and/or death of inmates.

The United States Constitution guarantees that pre-trial detainees receive reasonable medical care, receive mental health care, and be protected from their own suicidal tendencies. If a jail fails to fulfill these guaranteed rights, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to bring claims related to the death. Our Texas jail abuse and neglect civil rights law firm frequently represents such family members.  When representing such family members, we file suit in federal court.

Cedric Leon Hardesty was booked into Wichita County Jail on April 17, 2021. He died there in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of 57 on September 13, 2021. The custodial death report does not indicate whether he had ongoing medical issues prior to being found without a pulse on the day he was pronounced dead.

Hazards Associated with Restraint Chairs Continued

Investigators discovered stories of at least nine inmates claiming that while they were strapped in a restraint chair in a county jail, they were beaten, pepper-sprayed, or tasered. In a particular facility outside Texas, multiple accusers claimed that when they were in a restraint chair, they were placed in view of passers-by with their genitals exposed. Inmates commonly claim they are not given the opportunity to go to the restroom while strapped in a restraint chair. As a result, they end up urinating and defecating on themselves.

Among the individual stories about inmates in jails outside Texas is one about a 43-year-old man who died because of injuries sustained while in a restraint chair. The man was reportedly in the chair for over 20 hours and was given no water, medication, or food. He also struck his head violently against a jail window. The man had a history of alcohol abuse as well as mental and medical health problems.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

This website never intends to make an implication of improprieties on the part of people or organizations. The posts on this site are added for the purpose of helping county jail prisoners in Texas, whether they are currently or were previously detained in a county jail facility.

–Guest Contributor

In Wichita Falls, Texas, on September 13, 2021, Cedric Leon Hardesty died at the age of 57 while he was in the custody of the Wichita County Jail. Mr. Hardesty was found in his cell without a pulse. The custodial death is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, which is standard procedure.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has approved restraint chairs for use in Texas county jails. Many jurisdictions throughout the US have outlawed the use of these restrictive devices. Research shows that the chairs place individuals at risk, including evidence that the individuals in the chairs are subject to the potential of being abused. More about the known dangers of restraint chairs follows.

Hazards Associated with Restraint Chairs

According to a watchdog group, restraint chairs were associated with 20 deaths in US jails in recent times. However, when an inmate is experiencing a mental crisis or behaving in a manner that could cause harm to himself or others, placing him in a restraint chair can help ensure that no one is hurt. Although they can be helpful, there are known risks to using these restrictive devices. The following is an example.

• An inmate in a county jail outside of Texas had been placed in a restraint chair for 16 hours. It has been concluded that a blood clot formed in the man’s lungs as a direct result of the forced inactivity in the chair. The man died and, afterward, lawmakers in that state banned the use of restraint chairs.

See Part 1 and this ongoing series.

There is no intention on this website to infer wrongdoing on the part of individuals or institutions. This site provides posts with the aim of helping current and former prisoners incarcerated in county jails in Texas.

–Guest Contributor

Cedric Leon Hardesty died at the age of 57 on September 13, 2021, while in the custody of the Wichita County Jail in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was in a single cell when he was discovered with no pulse. The custodial death report about Mr. Hardesty shows that his cause of death is unknown and pending an autopsy.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) determines operational requirements for county jails in Texas. TCJS has approved the use of restraints, though they can only be used when needed to prevent inmates from causing harm to themselves or others. The least restrictive restraint device that can stop the dangerous behavior must be used. For the most extreme cases, TCJS has approved the use of restraint chairs, which are the most restrictive devices.

What is a Restraint Chair?

A restraint chair is a chair made for the specific purpose of detaining an individual who is self-destructive, combative, or potentially violent. An inmate who has been placed in a restraint chair is strapped with cuffs on the wrists and ankles and straps across the torso and lap. The chair places individuals in a sitting position and severely limits their movement.

In this ongoing series, learn about some of the dangers associated with restraint chairs.

It is not intended on this website to suggest that any persons or entities have engaged in wrongdoing. Posts on this site are added with the purpose of helping Texas inmates currently or previously detained in a county jail in the state.

–Guest Contributor

A special jail inspection was conducted at Harrison County Jail in Marshall, Texas, following the death of inmate Larry David Hurt on March 1, 2021. According to an inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), the jail was non-compliant regarding issues related to prisoner intake.

Myths About Suicide

According to a publication released by TCJS, the following are common myths about suicide that need to be dispelled in order to achieve suicide prevention with greater success.

Myth #1: People who threatened suicide or make suicidal statements typically do not go through with it. The truth: Most people who commit suicide make either direct or indirect statements indicating that they have intentions to commit suicide.

Myth #2: When suicide happens, it is sudden and without warning. The truth: Most of the time, a person has carefully strategized ways to cope with personal problems before committing suicide.

Myth #3: Once a person has attempted suicide, the idea gets out of their system, and they will not try again. The truth: Any person with a history of one or more previous attempts at suicide is at a far greater risk than individuals who have never made a suicide attempt.

Myth #4: Every person who is suicidal is mentally ill. The truth: Although suicidal persons are extremely unhappy, that does not necessarily mean that they are mentally ill.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

This website never has an intention of implicating a person or entity in wrongdoing. This site is provided as a potentially helpful source of information for Texas inmates now or previously held in county jails in the state.

–Guest Contributor

On March 1, 2021, Larry David Hurt was pronounced dead in Marshall, Texas. He had been in the custody of Harrison County Jail at the time of his death. An inspection of the jail prompted by Mr. Hurt’s death showed non-compliance in connection with jail intake requirements.

Proper booking procedures in Texas county jails help to ensure that inmates are placed appropriately, especially if they are at risk. Potentially suicidal and mentally impaired inmates receive heightened supervision. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) is responsible to direct operations of county jails in the state, and requirements include directives about suicide prevention.

The training of jail staff members is an essential factor in helping to stop prisoners from committing suicide. There are reports showing that suicide is the number one cause of death in county jails and in state prisons. The rate of suicide is always higher for people who are incarcerated as compared to those who are not.

Jail Suicide Statistics

The following are some Texas statistics provided by TCJS in a suicide prevention publication:

• In Texas county jails, 24% of suicides occur within the first 24 hours that an inmate is incarcerated.
• Another 27% of Texas jail suicides happen between 2 days and 14 days of incarceration.
• Approximately 31% of prisoners in county jails who commit suicide are discovered after more than one hour has passed since the previous observation.

See Part 1 and this ongoing series. In the next segment, learn some myths about suicide.

There is no intent on this website to suggest that any individual or entity has been involved in wrongdoing. This site offers posts to help inmates who are now or have previously been incarcerated in a county jail in Texas.

–Guest Contributor

Larry David Hurt died on March 1, 2021, in the custody of Harrison County Jail in Marshall, Texas. An additional inspection was conducted as a result of the death. The special inspection report showed alleged non-compliance in the area of intake information related to suicide and mental disabilities.

The intake process in county Texas jails can take an hour, a full day, or longer. Forty-eight hours is the maximum amount of time an inmate is supposed to be held in a holding cell, per the Texas Administrative Code, which is established by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).

The Intake Process

Inmates are provided with ongoing training in connection with the booking process. The types of things to be determined include:

• What is the appropriate housing classification?
• Is the inmate mentally handicapped?
• Does the individual need to be placed on suicide watch?
• What is the inmate’s health status?

Housing Classification

Housing classification is important because inmates should be placed in the appropriate housing that is least restrictive. The following factors are considered:

• Current conviction or offense
• Escape history
• Offense history
• History of institutional discipline
• Prior convictions
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Stability factors

County jails assess inmates for placement in the minimum, medium, or maximum custody level. Juveniles are separated from adults by sight and sound, which is mandated in rule §51.12  of the Family Code.

See more in this ongoing series.

This website has no intention of inferring that wrongdoing has occurred, whether on the part of persons or institutions. The information in the posts on this site is meant to potentially help inmates in county jails in Texas, whether they are currently or were previously detained.

–Guest Contributor

Bobbie Jo Thompson died in the custody of Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas, on July 20, 2021. On the day of her death, she had made an appearance in a court setting. Shortness of breath was the only symptom described in the custodial death report.

In the care of inmates, it is vital for jail staff members to be aware of the risk of custodial suicide. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) provides certain guidelines to assist in suicide prevention. Enhanced supervision is among the measures taken to protect inmates who are at risk for suicide.

Various studies have been done for the purpose of reducing the number of custodial suicide deaths in U.S. county jails and prisons. According to a February 2021 report, suicide is the leading cause of death in jail and prison systems across the nation. The reasons for an elevation of the rate of custodial suicide are varied, the report conveys. Causes range from the experience an inmate has during incarceration, common features of the environment, and characteristics of the population.

Studies also show that there are certain times when inmates have an increased risk of suicide. During the first hours in a jail up to a week, inmates should be carefully monitored since a large number of custodial suicides happen within the first seven days of incarceration.

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.

On this website, there is never an intention to suggest that improprieties have occurred on the part of institutions or individuals. Every post is intended as a resource of potential help to inmates detained in Texas county jails.

–Guest Contributor

The Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, in Wichita Falls, Texas, which is in north Texas, filed a report with the Texas Attorney General regarding the death of 57-year-old Cedric Leon Hardesty. There have been a few deaths related to the Wichita County jail in 2021. Information we provide in this post was obtained from the report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“At 0106 on 9/13/2021, a medical emergency was called to the single cell where the inmate was housed. Inmate was not responsive and no pulse could be felt when officers and medical staff entered cell. Live saving measures were started. AMR was notified. Live saving measures continued until the inmate was transported to United Regional Health Care System by AMR. Inmate was pronounced deceased my hospital medical provider. An autopsy was ordered and is pending. Texas Rangers notified and investigation pending.”

Therefore, the summary does not provide any information about whether Mr. Hardesty was receiving ongoing medical treatment, whether he had been observed, and/or whether he was known to be ill before the life-threatening situation which occurred.

All Texas jail inmates are entitled, pursuant to the United States Constitution, to receive medical care. They are also entitled to receive appropriate mental health care and to be protected from themselves and others. If a jail and/or jailers fail to provide that care, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may have claims related to that death. Those claims are usually filed by a Texas jail injury civil rights lawyer, in federal court.

The Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, in Wichita Falls, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of 72-year-old Leo Lawrence. We provide here information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone related to Mr. Lawrence’s death. As our Texas civil rights law firm does regarding custodial deaths in Texas, we provide information which may not be provided by authorities after an inmate’s death, so that surviving family members and the public can be aware of what is occurring in Texas jails.

The summary portion of the report regarding Mr. Lawrence’s death reads in its entirety:

“On 9/15/2021 between 1230 and 1240 PM the officer observed the inmate heavily breathing. The officer asked medical staff to check on the inmate. At 1244, a mental health nurse checked on the inmate, but the inmate did not respond to verbal stimuli. Medical staff and officers entered the cell at 1247 where the inmate was found unresponsive. AMR was notified and life saving measures started. Inmate was transported to United Regional Health Care System by AMR where he was pronounced deceased at 13:40 by the hospital medical provider. An autopsy was ordered and is pending. Texas Rangers notified and investigation is pending.”

Therefore, the report does not indicate anything about Mr. Lawrence’s prior medical condition, whether he had been receiving treatment, and how often he had been observed. It appears that Mr. Lawrence may have been in a segregated mental health portion of the jail, since a mental health nurse is referenced as being the person responding to his medical emergency. The report also indicates that Mr. Lawrence made suicidal statements and exhibited mental health problems.

The United States Constitution guarantees the right of pre-trial detainees in Texas county jails, regardless of their charges, to be treated humanely by receiving reasonable medical care and mental health care. The Constitution also requires that inmates be protected from their own suicidal tendencies, as well as from fellow inmates. If these constitutional protections are not provided, and a Texas jail detainee dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a civil lawsuit in federal court.