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Category: Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Bexar County Jail Fails Another Special Jail Inspection

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After a custodial death, inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted a special inspection at Bexar County Jail. Subsequently, a notice of non-compliance was sent to the jail on November 19, 2024, and the jail is now listed on the TCJS website as non-compliant. Bexar County Jail failed to comply with two minimum jail standards. The inspectors’ notes mention that a now-deceased inmate was affected by the violations, as follows:

  • After a custodial death, documentation was provided. A review of the information revealed that the detainee was held in a holding cell for more than 48 hours.
  • Documentation related to medical instructions was reviewed after a custodial death. The documentation revealed that the inmate was not provided the medication as prescribed.

Bexar County Jail’s address is 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, Texas 78207. The jail has an inmate capacity of 5,075.

The San Antonio Jail Faces Enhanced Enforcement After a Bexar County Inmate’s Death

An investigation into the November 6, 2024, death of a 50-year-old inmate at Bexar County Jail uncovered disturbing information. After an August 31 arrest, the detainee went through detoxing conditions, which exacerbated a medical episode on the day before his death. The jail inspection reports specify that the inmate was not provided with his medication on September 3, 4, and 5.

After violations were discovered following an October 15 and November 18 inspection, TCJS announced that Bexar County will now face enhanced enforcement. TCJS discovered issues related to the intake process and medical services after the above-mentioned death.

Since then, the Bexar County Jail Deputy Chief of Detention has outlined a plan of action to rectify the violations of minimum jail standards. State-of-the-art radar technology will be installed in single-person cells in the booking area and other select areas of the infirmary at the jail. The potentially lifesaving technology can detect an individual’s respiration, heart rate, motion, and vacancy or presence in the cell without the detainee having to wear a device. Staff will be alerted when there is a change in the person’s vitals.

Seeking Help with Jail Abuse or Medical Neglect?

Being detained in a local Texas jail doesn’t mean losing your basic rights. When inmates in Texas jails experience mistreatment, such as jail abuse or medical neglect, those responsible must be held accountable.

Did you lose a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that denial of medical care played a role in their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered significant injuries because of abuse or negligence? We may be able to assist. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on cases involving custodial deaths. Navigating the complexities of the correctional system, we bring extensive experience and a commitment to advocating for inmate justice.

Reach out to us anytime to schedule a free case review. You can contact us 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Tom Green County Jail Fails a Minimum Standard in Supervision

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Tom Green County Jail in San Angelo, Texas, is currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website as one of the counties found to be in non-compliance with minimum jail standards in Texas. A notice of non-compliance was issued to the San Angelo jail on November 18, 2024. It is the result of a special jail inspection that was scheduled after two custodial deaths occurred in October 2024 within five days of each other.

On October 16, a 65-year-old male died two days after being booked into Tom Green County Jail, and his cause of death is believed to be cardiac arrest, though autopsy results are awaited. Then a 59-year-old female died in the jail as a result of suicide on October 20, which was her ninth day of incarceration.

TCJS inspectors cited Tom Green County Jail for failing to provide supervision as required. The following is information from the inspectors’ note.

  • After a custodial death, video documentation was provided. The video revealed that observation rounds were conducted in the required time frame. However, two of the observation rounds were not conducted face-to-face as mandated.

The address of Tom Green County Jail is 4382 N. US Hwy 87, San Angelo TX 76905. The jail has a bed capacity of 1,001.

How Important is Inmate Supervision?

History has demonstrated that when jails supervise inmates as mandated, there are benefits, including the following:

  • Potentially suicidal detainees are less likely to commit suicide;
  • Inmate-on-inmate violence is reduced;
  • Disruptive behaviors and general chaos are prevented;
  • Escape plans are more likely to be discouraged;
  • Correctional officers are more likely to be protected from possible assaults by inmates;
  • Inmate behavior is easier to manage effectively; and
  • Effective communication is more likely to occur between staff and detainees.

Can Inadequate Inmate Supervision or Staffing Shortages Result in Death?

Investigations into custodial deaths in local jails often reveal that there were failures in supervision, such as missed face-to-face observations and long gaps between inmate checks. At-risk inmates are supposed to be checked on every 15 minutes or every 30 minutes at most. Supervision of the general population is just as important, though checks should occur at least every 60 minutes.

Staffing shortages are common in Texas jails, though death is among the potential outcomes. These staff shortages can result in missteps such as failing to identify that individuals are potential suicide risks. Other potential results include inadequate emergency response and mental health care. The potential for detainees to die of drug overdoses increases, as well.

Looking for Help with Jail Abuse or Medical Neglect?

Detainees in a county or municipal jail do not lose their fundamental rights. If inmates are denied medical treatment or are treated abusively, those responsible must be held accountable.

Has a family member died in a Texas jail, and do you suspect that jail neglect was a contributing factor? Or were you previously incarcerated and jail negligence has resulted in life-altering injuries? If so, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. We focus on jail death cases and provide committed legal representation backed by years of experience.

We’re available 24/7 to assist you. Contact us today by phone, text, or through our online form for a case consultation at no cost to you.

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smchugh

Shelby County Jail Detainee Jose Goevava Dies by Suicide

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Jose Goevava was booked into Shelby County Jail on October 5, 2024, at 8:20 PM. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased 90 minutes later. The 24-year-old used his jail-issued jumper to commit suicide. The custodial death report (CDR) prepared by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department about Mr. Goevava indicates that he was discovered hanging from a partitioned area. He allegedly made no suicidal statements during intake, nor did he exhibit mental health problems.

In January 2024, another Shelby County Jail inmate died, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) followed up with a jail inspection, which is standard procedure. After the February 26 special jail inspection, TCJS sent Shelby County Jail a notice of non-compliance. The following is information from the inspector’s note about the violation:

  • The documentation and video received after a custodial death was reviewed, and it revealed that there had been a breach in the supervision of the deceased. Although jailers made observation rounds within the timeframe mandated by minimum jail standards, the jailer failed to view the inmate face-to-face as required.

The address of Shelby County Jail is 100 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935. The bed capacity of the jail is 66.

An In-Depth Report Concludes that Half of Jail Deaths in 2016 Were Preventable

More than 1,000 individuals died in local U.S. jails in 2016 alone. A report found that “at least half of these deaths are preventable.” History continues to show that local jails are unable to provide inmates with effective medical care and mental health treatment. An investigative study found that substandard healthcare provided by a third-party health service provider resulted in at least 70 preventable deaths in local jails between 2014 and 2018.

Suicide Causes Most Local Jail Deaths Yet is Often Preventable

Even with an awareness that suicide causes more deaths in U.S. jails than anything else and even though jails are required to train jail staff in suicide prevention, suicide is the cause of most jail deaths every year. The rate of jail suicide is much higher than it is in state prisons or among the U.S. population in general.

Jail neglect can and often does contribute to custodial suicides. When jail abuse or neglect is a contributing factor in preventable detainee suicides, jails can and should be held accountable.

Assistance for Jail Medical Neglect

If you suspect that a loved one died due to neglect or abuse while in the custody of a Texas jail, securing knowledgeable legal representation is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are dedicated to asserting the rights of detainees and their families. We have a team that focuses specifically on cases involving jail deaths. With extensive experience in this field, we are here to help.

If, while previously incarcerated in a Texas jail, you suffered abuse, neglect, or inadequate medical care and are now facing life-changing injuries, we encourage you to reach out. Contact us any time—day or night—for a free case evaluation. You can reach us by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Runnels County Jail Violates a Classification of Inmates Rule

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An inspection of Runnels County Jail was conducted by inspectors from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on October 25, 2024. The jail was cited for violating one rule, and that rule is in the chapter on the classification and separation of inmates. The rule states, in part, that detainees must be classified and housed in the least restrictive housing available without endangering staff, inmates, or the public. Inspectors found that 4 of 10 inmates were improperly classified utilizing the current offense of conviction, offense history, prior convictions, and sentencing status.

Although the violation intimates possible danger to inmates, the latest inspection of Runnels County Jail reflects considerable improvement as compared with the two years prior. A March 24, 2022, inspection at Runnels County Jail revealed that the Ballinger, Texas, jail was in violation of 9 minimum jail standards. Then in July 2023, Runnels County Jail was cited for failing to comply with 7 minimum jail standards. Five of the inspectors’ notes under the violations cited in 2023 begin with “A deficiency still exists.”

Runnels County Jail’s address is 200 N Hickory Hill Rd., Ballinger, Texas 76821. The jail’s bed capacity is 87.

How Might Inmates be Endangered by Misclassification?

Individuals are arrested and placed in city and county jails because they are suspected or accused of committing a crime. Some have never been arrested before and are innocent of those charges, and others have previously served time after being found guilty. It is not difficult to understand the reality that some detainees are more likely to be a risk to others. That is where the classification of inmates comes in.

In a correctional article on inmate classification, it states that the idea is to separate the sheep from the wolves. A range of factors are investigated in order to determine which level of supervision is necessary for each inmate and to implement appropriate security measures throughout each day. By assessing risk levels of inmates, conflicts are minimized and it is easier to maintain a safe and secure environment for detainees and staff.

Factors to be investigated include pending charges or holds in other jurisdictions (if any); current and past convictions; institutional behavior, current and past; sentenced or unsentenced status; and other information that may be deemed appropriate. Adjustments to the classification of inmates are made in response to rule violations and misconduct when deemed appropriate.

24/7 Support for Jail Neglect and Death Cases

Jails have a duty to protect the well-being of those in their custody. If you suffered serious injuries while detained in a Texas jail due to neglect—including medical neglect—reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. We have extensive experience asserting inmates’ rights and providing legal support. If you have lost a loved one in jail due to suspected abuse or medical neglect, we may be able to help. Our firm has a dedicated team focusing exclusively on cases involving jail deaths.

Contact us anytime, day or night, by phone, text, or our online form. We are here for you 24/7.

 

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smchugh

Bryan Jenkins Dies After 11 Hours in Johnson County Jail

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Prison

Forty-seven-year-old Bryan Joseph Jenkins was booked into the Johnson County jail at 5:30 PM on October 29, 2024. He was placed in a multiple-occupancy holding cell and died less than 11 hours later. A custodial death report (CDR) was filed by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department on October 31, 2024. The CDR reveals that Mr. Jenkins appeared to be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs during intake. His cause of death is unknown. In answer to the question, “If death was an accident, homicide, or suicide, who caused the death?,” jail staff answered, “Unknown whether decedent sustained a fatal injury.”

This seems to be a clear indication that Mr. Jenkins may have been a victim of violence. Even more alarming is the fact that several custodial deaths in other Texas jails had similar scenarios. In essence, an inmate died in each case and it is possible that foul play was involved. After an August 2024 death in a Texas jail, enough evidence was found to charge several of the deceased’s cellmates with homicide in connection with his death.

The Johnson County Jail is at 1800 Ridgemar Drive in Cleburne, TX 76031. The Cleburne jail has a 1,100-bed capacity.

Johnson County Jail Has a History of Lapses in Inmate Supervision

The importance of the supervision of inmates cannot be overstated. The chief issue is that detainees in Texas lack the protection they need during incarceration when jails don’t provide supervision according to minimum jail standards. It is always a cause for concern when lapses in supervision are discovered during jail inspections.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) inspects every Texas jail annually, and there are often special jail inspections. A special jail inspection may be conducted as a result of a complaint or, in a worst-case scenario, following a custodial death. After a June 2018 jail inspection, Johnson County Jail was found to have violated two jail standards involving lapses in inmate supervision. TCJS inspectors’ notes follow:

  • It was discovered during the review of face-to-face observation documents that Johnson County Jail had falsified jail checks by recording the observation times 15 minutes prior to the actual time the observation occurred.
  • The face-to-face observation records where inmates are known to be mentally ill, potentially suicidal, or assaultive were scrutinized, and they revealed that the facility exceeded the 30-minute observations by 1 minute to 90 minutes.

A couple of months before a 2021 jail inspection, an inmate in Johnson County Jail who was known to be suicidal succeeded in taking his own life. The jail was cited for allowing inmates to be supervised by 7 individuals who did not have the required Temporary Jailer’s License.

Legal Help for Jail Neglect, Abuse, or Medical Neglect

The Law Offices of Dean Malone can provide valuable assistance if you or a loved one has been affected by medical neglect or abuse in a Texas jail, including situations involving the death of an inmate. We have extensive experience in cases related to custodial deaths and serious injuries resulting from neglect or inadequate medical care. By reaching out to us, you can receive a free case evaluation to explore your legal options. With our 24/7 availability, you can contact us anytime through phone, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Inmate Eliar Otero Dies in Bexar County Jail on 10/10/24

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Eliar Otero lived only three days after being booked into Bexar County Jail on October 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Otero was filed on October 30, 2024, by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Javier Salazar is the head of jail operations in the San Antonio jail. Her cause of death is listed as unknown and awaiting autopsy results. The summary about how Ms. Otero’s death occurred is merely two lines long, as follows:

Unit Officer was alerted by the cellmate of Inmate Otero and stated she does not think her cellmate is breathing. Officer observed Inmate Otero unresponsive laying on her bunk and initiated a code 1 Blue.

Ms. Otero’s death occurred in a multiple-occupancy cell in the booking center of Bexar County Jail. She was only 48 years old. There are a couple of clues indicating what may have occurred. To the question whether the death was a pre-existing medical condition or developed a condition after admission, the response is:

Not Applicable: Cause of death was accidental injury, intoxication, suicide, or homicide.

As to who caused the death, the CDR indicates:

Unknown person(s) caused the injury.

Bexar County Jail’s address is 200 N. Comal, San Antonio, TX 78207. The jail has a 5,200-bed capacity.

Concern Mounts Over Inmate Deaths in Bexar County Jail

Based on our recent research, Ms. Otero is at least the 14th individual to die in the custody of Bexar County Jail this year. A news report in August indicated that 12 inmates died in Bexar County Jail in 2023. Another pointed out the fact that going to jail should not be a death sentence.

It appears that Ms. Otero’s death may have been caused by another inmate. This is reminiscent of a recent custodial homicide that also occurred inside Bexar County Jail. On August 13, 2024, a 62-year-old inmate died and several of his fellow inmates have been charged with his death.

Do Inmates Have the Right to Protection in Jail?

Jails are legally obligated to protect detainees from physical harm and sexual assault. Inmates also have the right to the following:

  • Humane conditions and facilities
  • Freedom from racial segregation
  • Medical care and attention
  • Express complaints about conditions in the jail
  • Appropriate mental health care

When a jail fails to provide protection or other basic rights for an inmate, the detainee or their family may have a right to financial compensation. Because of the complexities involved with these types of cases, it is important to pursue experienced legal representation.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone is Here to Help with Jail Deaths Due to Neglect

If you suspect that a loved one’s death in a Texas jail was due to neglect or abuse, seeking experienced legal assistance is essential. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are dedicated to asserting the rights of inmates and their families, especially in cases involving jail-related deaths. Our skilled team has extensive experience navigating these challenging cases. If you’re a former Texas jail inmate who suffered abuse, neglect, or insufficient medical care resulting in severe injuries, we encourage you to reach out for a free case review. We are available 24/7 by phone, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Falls County Jail is Non-Compliant for the 12th Time in 8 Years

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

After an October 15, 2024, jail inspection, Falls County Jail was found non-compliant for the second time in less than a month. It is also at least the 12th time in 8 years that the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) found Falls County Jail in violation of minimum jail standards. This latest notice of non-compliance is the third for Falls County Jail that is currently posted on the TCJS website and shows the same two rules that were violated after a late September inspection. Information conveyed in the inspectors’ notes follows:

  • Falls County Jail did not meet the required 1 to 48 ratio on October 11, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Documentation indicates that there was only one jailer on shift and 56 inmates.
  • On October 11, 2024, personnel with no TCOLE jailer’s license were assigned to dispatch/control room and jail supervision at Falls County Jail.

Falls County Jail is located at 2847 State Highway 6 in Marlin, Texas 76661. The inmate capacity is 107.

Jail Personnel Need Suicide Prevention Training

Suicide is the leading cause of death in U.S. jails. Suicide prevention is included in the training courses jailers must take for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) jailer’s licensing. Many suicides are prevented by qualified jailers with the appropriate training they receive in order to obtain the required licensing.

Included in suicide prevention training are topics such as those below:

  • Mental impairments
  • How to recognize suicidal behavior
  • Suicide risk
  • De-escalation

Understanding Suicide Risk in Jails

Custodial suicide statistics provide insights that can help with suicide prevention. It isn’t enough to know facts about suicide risk. When strong indicators exist that an individual may be at risk for suicide, practical steps should be taken. Examples follow:

  • From 2000-2004, 22% of suicides in local jails occurred within the first 24 hours of incarceration. This was an increase from 12% during 2015-2019. Jails could keep stricter watch on inmates in their first 24 hours, such as keeping them under constant observation and/or supervision.
  • Approximately 90% of suicide deaths in county and municipal jails occur by suffocation, including hanging and self-strangulation. To address this, potentially suicidal individuals should not have access to anything that can be used to fashion a ligature. Bed linens, trash bags, telephone cords, and clothing are among the things inmates have used to commit suicide.

Get Legal Help for Jail Medical Neglect with the Law Offices of Dean Malone

If you suspect that a family member died while in Texas jail because of jail abuse, neglect, or jail medical neglect, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal support. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are committed to helping detainees and their families, especially in jail-related death cases. Our knowledgeable team is experienced in navigating the complexities of these types of cases. If you are a former detainee who has endured neglect, abuse, or denial of medical care while incarcerated and must now deal with serious injuries, we encourage you to contact us.

Contact us for a free case evaluation, reach out anytime—24/7. Call, text, or fill out our online form.

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smchugh

Wilson County Jail Fails to Comply with Restraint Requirements

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The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website currently includes Wilson County Jail in its list of non-compliant jails. A jail inspection report was issued to the Floresville, Texas, jail on October 9, 2024, followed by a notice of non-compliance on October 14, 2024. Inspectors with TCJS found that Wilson County Jail violated two minimum jail standards. One is related to emergency fire drill training for jail staff. The other is a mandate to conduct documented observations of inmates in restraints every 15 minutes; the inspectors’ notes about restraints follow.

  • The inspector discovered that restraint observations entered in the restraint logs were being conducted over the 15-minute time requirement by 1 minute up to 15 minutes.

Wilson County Jail’s address is 800 10th Street, Floresville, Texas 78114. The jail’s bed capacity is 160.

Why Observation Checks in Jails Are Important

Face-to-face observation checks in municipal and county jails are required at different intervals and for different reasons. These are crucial activities because supervision is at the heart of observations. Lives are saved when jails ensure that inmates are properly supervised. For instance, detainees are protected from inmate-on-inmate violence when jailers check on them as required. Suicide is the leading cause of death in jails, and supervision is the best deterrent.

The purpose of checking on inmates every 15 minutes maximum when they are in restraints is partly to protect them from physical injury. Blood circulation is to be checked every quarter of an hour, and medical care must be provided every 2 hours.

A problem that is often exposed in the news is that detainees sometimes have difficulty breathing and can become unresponsive after they have been in a strenuous struggle prior to being placed in restraints. Frequent checks on detainees ensure that a detainee in medical distress can more likely than not get the lifesaving help they require.

Do Jail Inmates Usually Get Medical Attention When Needed?

Many news stories have come to light through the years that place doubt on the question of inmates receiving timely medical care when they are in great distress. After an inmate dies because they were ignored as they suffered medical distress, jail staff will often express that it is reasonable to consider that inmates are only seeking attention when they cry out for help. When medical neglect is suspected in association with a custodial death, it is important to act quickly so that investigations can more successfully discover the facts about what happened.

Is Help Available for Jail Negligence Cases?

A recent study shows that nearly 70% of inmates in local U.S. jails with chronic health conditions are denied proper medical care—a startling statistic. If you’ve suffered life-changing injuries due to jail medical neglect or abuse, or if you’ve lost a loved one to neglect while they were incarcerated, we encourage you to contact us promptly. The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. has a team focused on custodial death cases, with extensive experience in cases related to jail abuse and medical neglect.

Reach out to us today for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7—call, text, or connect with us through our online form.

 

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smchugh

Falls County Jail Fails an Inspection for Understaffing

3d interior Jail
3d interior Jail

Falls County Jail was inspected by Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspectors on September 26, 2024. Subsequently, a notice of non-compliance was issued to the Marlin, Texas, jail on October 9. The jail was cited for violating two minimum jail standards. This was a tremendous improvement over the results of an inspection of Falls County Jail earlier this year. After a March 4 inspection, the jail was cited for 14 violations. The two citations issued after the September inspection were repeat offenses and involved understaffing and staff members working without a valid TCOLE jailer’s license. Inspectors’ notes for both follow:

  • While complaint case #38352 was being investigated, it was discovered that Falls County Jail did not meet the required 1 to 48 ratio on August 22, 2024. On that day, there was only 1 jailer on shift and 53 detainees.
  • Staffing rosters were reviewed, and it was discovered that personnel with no TCOLE jailers license were assigned to the dispatch/control room on August 23, 2024, and August 25, 2024.

Falls County Jail’s address is 2847 State Highway 6 in Marlin, Texas 76661. The jail’s bed capacity is 107.

Understaffing is a Widespread Problem in U.S. Jails

An awareness of understaffing in jails may come about as a result of failed jail inspections, but the negative consequences are felt among the inmates. In a county outside Texas, there were major staffing shortages at a juvenile detention facility, resulting in an increase in assaults by young inmates. This led to a safety and security analysis. Then, after a youth fight, seven staff members at the jail were sent to a hospital for treatment. The county is offering hiring bonuses because more than one-fifth of the juvenile detention officer positions are presently unfilled.

At an adult jail facility outside Texas, an audit revealed the depth of the problem of understaffing. The jail is short-staffed by more than 100 corrections officers (COs). Further review found that 504 COs needed to be hired for all shifts to be covered without overtime. Currently, to cover all shifts, 38% of the COs need to work overtime daily. The jail is increasing recruitment efforts, offering wellness and stress-management programs to COs, and looking at moving to an electronic scheduling system in order to reduce overwork.
Another alarming statistic at the jail is that 84 of 146 healthcare positions are vacant. This could potentially expose inmates to medical neglect.

24/7 Support for Jail Death Cases

Jails have a duty to protect the well-being of all individuals in their care. If you’ve been incarcerated in a Texas jail and experienced serious injuries due to neglect, including medical neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. With a deep commitment to asserting inmates’ rights, we are here to offer legal assistance. If you suspect that a loved one’s death in jail was caused by medical neglect or abuse, we may be able to help. We have a team that focuses exclusively on cases involving jail deaths.

Don’t wait—contact us today. We are available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.

 

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smchugh

Cass County Jail is Again Cited for a Failed Inspection

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Cass County Jail documentation was examined by inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on October 1, 2024. As a result, the Linden, Texas, jail is again listed on the TCJS website for noncompliance with minimum jail standards. This is at least the fifth time since 2017 that the jail was found to be in violation of the rules intended to protect inmates, jailers, and/or the public. In this latest notice of noncompliance, Cass County Jail was cited for failure to comply with two of the requirements as set forth by TCJS in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

Under the chapter on Life Safety Rules, jail staff must be trained for emergency situations immediately upon employment and at least once per calendar quarter for all jail personnel. This training includes essential instruction on what to do in case of fire and other emergencies as well as evacuation drills and the location and use of equipment.

  • TCJS inspectors’ notes show that only 2 of 19 members of the jail staff received their life safety training in the third quarter of 2024.

At least three days each week, detainees in Texas jails must be allowed at least one hour of supervised physical recreation or exercise.

  • After reviewing documentation for May, June, and July 2024, inspectors discovered that Cass County Jail fails to show that inmates are allowed to have their three hours of weekly physical exercise or recreation.

Cass County Jail’s address is 600 Hwy 8 North in Linden, Texas 75563. The jail has a 96-bed capacity.

How Important is Life Safety Training for Jail Personnel?

The lives of Texas jail detainees are not in their own hands. In case of fire, riots, power outages, and medical emergencies, incarcerated individuals are helpless to do anything other than rely on jail staff. It’s not difficult to see that personnel without adequate training can put inmates and fellow jailers at risk. What if CPR or an automated external defibrillator could save a detainee’s life, but the only jailers in the vicinity had not received the necessary training required in minimum jail standards?

News stories about Texas jails frequently expose the fact that inmates die all too often behind bars. In October 2024 news out of San Antonio, Texas, for example, there is a story asserting that ten detainees have died this year while in the custody of Bexar County jail. Allegedly, most of the deceased had suffered a medical episode.

Looking for Assistance with Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a county or city jail does not mean a loss of your fundamental rights. When inmates in Texas jails experience mistreatment, such as denial of necessary medical care, those responsible must be held accountable.

Have you lost a family member in a Texas jail and suspect neglect played a role in their death? Or were you previously detained and suffered serious injuries due to jail abuse or neglect? If so, we may be able to assist. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., we focus on handling custodial death cases and asserting inmates’ rights, leveraging years of experience to offer dedicated legal support.

Reach out to us by phone, text, or through our online form as soon as possible to schedule a free case evaluation. We’re available 24/7.

author avatar
smchugh
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