Category: Medical Care

Fentanyl Overdoses and Deaths

Fentanyl is a danger in society that is reaching into jails with alarming consistency across the U.S. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid drug that the Food and Drug Administration has approved as a pain reliever and anesthetic. It is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. An amount equivalent to a few grains of salt is enough to kill a human being.

The trafficking of illicit fentanyl is now a huge business. The unknown quantity is that there is no careful measure of fentanyl. People frequently react to the drug violently and immediately. Police officers, for instance, who unknowingly came into contact with fentanyl have suffered immediate effects of overdose. This would be deadly except for Narcan. 

It is terrifying when you know the facts about fentanyl and its potential to kill, but Narcan is a product easily administered that can save a person from an opioid overdose. Police stations everywhere are arming their officers with Narcan. Lives are saved every day, including in jails.

A March 2023 headline saying that 13 inmates overdosed on fentanyl in one week is not conveying a unique event. Neither is the further detail that deputies and nurses also suffered the effects of fentanyl through close contact. In the particular story alluded to, all but one person survived because Narcan was administered, sometimes repeatedly to one victim of a fentanyl overdose.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 of this continuing series to learn more.

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of suggesting that people or organizations have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) now lists Cameron County Jail in Texas as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website. Cameron County was found to be in violation of a minimum jail standard as a result of a special jail inspection, and the jail inspection report was issued on April 3, 2023.

The address of Cameron County Jail is 954 E. Harrison, Brownsville, TX 78520. Details on alleged noncompliance follow.

RULE §275.1-Supervision of Inmates-Regular Observation by Jailers. This rule states that each jail facility will have the appropriate number of jailers present in the facility 24 hours a day. There must be procedures established for face-to-face observation of all inmates by a jailer no less than once every 60 minutes, and there must be documentation of the observations. In areas where inmates are mentally ill, potentially suicidal, assaultive, or have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined, the face-to-face observations must be performed at least every 30 minutes.

• TCJS inspectors reviewed a video submitted after a custodial death, and it revealed that at least two of the observation rounds were not conducted in accordance with minimum jail standards.

A special jail inspection is conducted for various reasons, including after there is a custodial death in a county jail. There was a custodial suicide in Cameron County Jail on January 27, 2023. Incidentally, Cameron County Jail failed an inspection report that was conducted in December 2021. There were three violations of minimum jail standards. One of those violations was for failing to provide two hours of suicide prevention training as detailed in their Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Operational Plan.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, submitted a report regarding the death-in-custody of Hector Lopez. Mr. Lopez was only 40 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information we obtained from the submitted report, and we do not allege that anyone did anything wrong which resulted in Mr. Lopez’s death. Our Texas jail neglect law firm does not have sufficient information to make that determination.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On 3/31/2023, at approximately 1155 hours, a Code 1 (Medical Assistance needed) was initiated by Deputy Taylor, Spencer. Inmate Guerra, Raul #XXXXXX informed Deputy Taylor his cellmate, Lopez, Hector #XXXXXX, fell to the floor when he attempted to get off his bunk. All corridor personnel responded, and observed inmate Lopez breathing. Subsequently, inmate Lopez appeared to have stopped breathing, and Deputy Taylor immediately began chest compressions. The incident was upgraded to a Code 1 Blue (Medical Emergency), where several medical staff members responded, and took over life saving measures. SAFD arrived at approximately 1222 hours and transported inmate Lopez to Downtown Baptist. Inmate Lopez was pronounced deceased by Dr. D. Coleman at approximately 1302 hours.”

The report provides no detailed information about what led to Mr. Lopez’s fall, whether he was assigned a bottom bunk, or whether medical issues required that he be assigned a bottom bunk. 

Texas jails are required to protect those inmates in their care. This is required under the United States Constitution. The Constitution imposes an obligation on jailers and medical personnel working in jails, and those who run jails, to protect detainees. If they fail to protect a particular detainee, and the person dies as a result, then certain family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our law firm is handling a number of such cases in federal court across Texas.

The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, in Fort Worth, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Heidiann Renee Gitts. Ms. Gitts was only 32 years old at the time of her death. We provide information we obtained from that report.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“

“Please allow this to serve as the first notification of the in-custody death of Tarrant County Inmate
GITTS, HEIDIANN RENEE, white female, DOB: XX/XX/1990 CID #XXXXXXX, who had been housed at
the Tarrant County Jail at 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas 76196. Inmate Gitts
had been in TCSO custody since 03/18/2023 on three charges, POSS CS PG 3 < 28G (481.117(b)) – MA, POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (481.115(c)) – F3 and THEFT PROP >=$100<$750 (31.03(e)(2)(A)) – MB. Inmate Gitts was housed under detox protocols following her booking into the Tarrant County Jail. Inmate Gitts died on Monday, March 20, 2023 at approximately 2049 hours at John Peter Smith Hospital. Inmate Gitts was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital via ambulance on March 20, 2023 at around 1306 hours after experiencing a medical emergency in the shower area of her pod (63D 100 N Lamar, Fort Worth, Texas) on this date. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and took possession of Inmate Gitts. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Detective Ramon Garcia RMGarcia@tarrantcounty.com 817-884-1272 has been assigned the death investigation (TCSO report 2023-03854). The Fort Worth Police Department Major Case Unit will perform an independent review of the case. Further documentation and reports will follow the investigation as they become available.
Sergeant Richard Harwell”

The report provides no further specific information regarding events leading up to Ms. Gitts’ medical episode and/or death.

Inmates and detainees in Texas county jails have the right to receive reasonable medical care and to be protected from themselves and others. These rights arise under the United States Constitution. If a county and/or jailers violate such a person’s rights, and the person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our law firm is litigating a number of such cases across Texas.

The Inmate is Believed to Have Died of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

When the body isn’t producing enough insulin, a serious complication that can occur is a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

Sugar is a key source of energy for the muscles as well as other tissues. Insulin helps sugar enter the cells in the body. When someone doesn’t have a sufficient amount of insulin, the body breaks down the fat to use as fuel. The result is that acids build up in the bloodstream, and those acids are called ketones. If this condition does not get needed treatment, a buildup of ketones can result in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Symptoms of Ketoacidosis

The symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis can come on quickly—in as little as 24 hours. For some people, it is their first sign of having diabetes. Symptoms may include:

• Frequent urination
• Being very thirsty
• Vomiting or feeling the need to vomit
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling tired or weak
• Shortness of breath
• Being confused
• The breath is fruity-scented

The following symptoms are virtually sure signs of diabetic ketoacidosis:

• High ketone levels in urine
• High blood sugar level

Should I Visit a Physician?

If you have recently been ill or injured or you are feeling ill or stressed, check your blood glucose level often. You could also get a urine ketone test kit at the drugstore.

Call your physician right away if:

• Your blood glucose level is higher than your target range and doesn’t respond to home treatment.
• Your urine ketone level is moderate to high.
• You’re throwing up and can’t keep down liquids or food.

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

Helping Texas jail detainees and their families with resources is one of the purposes of this website. There is no intention of suggesting that people or organizations have been involved in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor

In a jail inspection report issued on March 28, 2023, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) cited Rains County Jail in Texas for noncompliance with two minimum jail standards. The Emory, Texas, jail is now listed as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website. The address of Rains County Jail is 313 W N St, Emory, TX 75440.

1– Under Rule §263.42, the jail will be inspected each year by a local official who holds a Texas Commission on Fire Protection certification or who meets the alternative criteria provided in Government Code 419.909 and shall pass the inspection.

• August 2021 was the last time the jail was inspected by a local fire official, which means that the annual inspection is eight months past due.

2– Per rule §279.1(2), the jails’ water and sewage systems that are not part of a public system and food preparation areas will be inspected at least annually by health authorities and each inspection shall be documented.

• Health authorities last inspected the facility on August 12, 2021, which places the annual inspection past due by eight months.

Thirty-one-year-old Brandon Kyle Taylor was booked into Young County Jail on September 1, 2022. He was pronounced deceased on March 21, 2023, from an apparent suicide. The address of the jail is 315 N Cliff Drive, Graham, Texas, 76450. Young County Jail has a 144-bed capacity, and it is a medium-security facility for adults.

Young County Jail Fails a March 2021 Jail Inspection

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted the annual inspection at Young County Jail on March 16, 2021. TCJS Inspector Michael Gravitt cited the jail for three violations of minimum jail standards. The first was in the chapter on the classification and separation of inmates–part three, training. The second was in the chapter on health services, and it addressed the handling of prescriptions.  The third was in the chapter on recreation and exercise and pertained to physical exercise.

Rule §271.3-Training

This rule states that all jail staff whose duties encompass classification will be provided with at least four hours of training on the principles, procedures, and instruments for making classification assessments, housing assignments, inmate needs, and reassessments.

• Jail staff who are handling classification duties have not completed the required four hours of classification training.

When the classification process is performed early and continuously it helps to ensure a safe and secure facility. An example of what is required of the person handling intake is that they observe an individual’s behavior during the arrest and booking process. They should watch for insights into their mental state and their risk of safety to themselves or others. The classification procedure determines such things as how an inmate is managed and their eligibility for work. Classification helps to separate inmates who are at risk of being victimized by potential predators.

Learn more in this ongoing series.

With the continuing goal of helping Texas prisoners held in a local county or municipal jail, this website was created. There is no intention of making accusations against organizations or people on this site.

–Guest Contributor

Smith County Jail inmate Charlie Humphries was immediately transported by ambulance to Christus Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, Texas, after his pulse was restored. Upon arrival, Mr. Humphries lost vital signs, and medical personnel said that he suffered a massive stroke. Lifesaving measures were again attempted, but he was pronounced deceased at 11:48 PM on March 23, 2023.

Jail Inspection Report for Smith County Jail Dated 3/22-24/22 Continued

Rule §273.6(3)-Restraints

Inmates who are being held in a restraint must be observed every 15 minutes, at a minimum. The observations must be documented and must include an assessment of the circulation to the extremities and the security of the restraint.

• The observation log for the restraint chair was reviewed, and it was observed that the jail staff exceeded the 15-minute observations on multiple occasions by 1 to 10 minutes.

Rule §275.2-Jailers Training and Licensing

Staff members employed or appointed as jailers of county jails or personnel employed, assigned, or appointed to directly supervise jailers shall be licensed as per the requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under the provisions of Part 7 of this title.

• While inspecting Smith County Jail, it was determined via TCOLE records that a detention officer’s temporary jailers license expired on December 20, 2021. The officer continued to work without a valid TCOLE license from December 20, 2021, until February 9, 2022.

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

This website is a resource for Texas prisoners in city and county jails. Making accusations that an individual or institution is a participant in wrongs is never intended.

–Guest Contributor

The Young County Sheriff’s Department, in Graham, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Brandon Kyle Taylor. Mr. Taylor was only 31 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety, “The Decedent was in a segregation cell. In between floor checks, the Decedent used bedding to hang himself.”

The report provides no additional information regarding any ongoing issues with Mr. Taylor, whether he was receiving mental health treatment, or any other specifics regarding his ongoing incarceration. The report does indicate that Mr. Taylor exhibited mental health problems.

The United States Constitution requires Texas jails to protect inmates from themselves and others. If jailers violate a person’s constitutional rights, and that person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal constitutional rights lawsuit. Our firm is litigating a number of suicide cases across Texas.