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Category: Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Howard County Jail Violated Minimum Standards When an Inmate Died

Front of Jail Cell

Howard County jail in Big Spring, Texas, is now listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website alongside other non-compliant jails. During a special jail inspection at Howard County Jail on September 23, 2024, TCJS inspectors discovered that the Big Spring detention facility had violated one minimum jail standard in connection with the death of a female detainee.

The notice of non-compliance sent to Howard County Jail on September 23 lists the minimum standard violated inaccurately as far as the rule number, though the description correctly matched the wording for Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers in the chapter about inmate supervision. The notes from TCJS inspectors conveyed the following:

  • The video documentation provided after a custodial death was reviewed. The video revealed that at least twenty-four (24) rounds were not conducted face to face as required, though the observation rounds were conducted within the timeframe mandated by minimum jail standards.

Howard County Jail’s address is 3611 Hwy 80 in Big Spring, Texas 79720. The jail can house up to 96 detainees.

How Does Supervision of Inmates Help Save Lives?

Research shows that inmates are certainly safer with direct supervision by jail staff. This underscores the importance of sticking to mandated timing for face-to-face observations when a jail provides indirect supervision. When an officer is present, there are fewer assaults and abuses, such as when stronger inmates prey on weaker detainees.

When there is a commitment to protect inmates with strict supervision, lives can be saved, whether from death by suicide, withdrawal, severe illness, inmate-on-inmate attacks, or overdosing. Tragically, as in the case of Howard County Jail, investigations often reveal that a lack of supervision was associated with custodial deaths.

Supervision is the Best Means to Prevent Jail Suicides

In general, jails should always be on high alert to prevent inmate suicides because suicide is the leading cause of death in municipal and county detention facilities. Research provides plenty of predictors that can guide jail staff on how to prevent suicides effectively. For instance, the first 24 hours that any individual is incarcerated, there is a strong risk for suicide. Up to 24% of all jail suicides occur in that timeframe.

More than 90% of jail suicides happen by hanging or self-strangulation. Therefore, if a detainee is known or suspected to be suicidal, it makes no sense to provide them with supplies that can be used to fashion an effective ligature to take their own life. Bed sheets and blankets are commonly used in custodial suicides, though trash bags, phone cords, and many other items have been used.

Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone for Help with Jail Neglect Cases

If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to abuse or neglect in a jail, seeking skilled legal support is essential. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we routinely assist families who have lost loved ones in Texas jails, where neglect may have been a contributing factor. We also encourage former inmates dealing with significant issues related to neglect or abuse during their time in custody to reach out to us.

Connect with us today for a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Crockett County Jail is Found Non-Compliant in a Second 2024 Jail Inspection

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Crockett County Jail in Ozona, Texas, was recently added to the non-compliant jails listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website for the second time in 2024. The first of the two failed inspections at Crockett County Jail this year was in February. After a September 19, 2024, jail inspection at the Ozona jail, a notice of non-compliance was issued on September 23. TCJS inspectors found that Crocket County Jail was non-compliant with three minimum jail standards.

The rules violated were RULE §263.56-Testing Emergency Power Equipment and two violations under RULE §273.5-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan in the chapter on Health Services.

Crockett County Jail’s address is 121 S. Hwy 163 in Ozona, Texas 76943. The jail has an inmate capacity of 24.

Can Jails Be Held Accountable for Preventable Inmate Suicides?

Suicide is the leading cause of death in local jails. The rules of operation, which are established by TCJS, include requirements related to suicide prevention. Jails can be held accountable for jail negligence that results in a preventable suicide. For example, if a detainee has been identified as a suicidal individual, it would be an act of negligence to place them alone in a cell with items that can be fashioned into a ligature.

Close to 90% of custodial suicides in Texas occur by way of hanging and self-strangulation. These methods of suicide cause death within approximately 5 minutes, more or less.

Since 2019, overall suicide rates in 25 states have increased by more than 30%. Within the U.S. corrections system, the total number of suicides increased from 499 in 2001 to 695 in 2019. Female inmate suicides rose by nearly 65% in the same time period. Inmates prior to their adjudication accounted for nearly 77% of all those who died by suicide in city and county jails from 2000 to 2019. More recent statistics show even higher numbers.

A Custodial Suicide in Texas is Ruled a Preventable Death

In April of 2021, a 37-year-old Texas jail inmate was placed on suicide watch, being undisputedly suicidal. Nevertheless, an officer delivered a sheet, blanket, and bag of towels to the man. Approximately 18 minutes later, the man was found hanging inside his cell. Allegedly, the tragic suicide could have been prevented if not for apparent jail negligence.

Seeking Help for Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a city or county jail doesn’t strip away your basic rights. When detainees face mistreatment, such as being denied proper medical care, it’s crucial to hold those responsible accountable.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a Texas jail and believe neglect was a factor in their death, or if you’ve suffered serious injuries due to jail negligence during a previous incarceration, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have a team focused on custodial death cases and bring years of experience to provide you with strong legal representation.

We are available around the clock. Reach out via phone, text, or our online form to schedule a free case consultation.

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smchugh

Crosby County Jail is Cited for Non-Compliance

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Crosby County Jail in Crosbyton, Texas, has recently been added to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website due to noncompliance. A special jail inspection on September 5, 2024, found that Crosby County Jail was in violation of one minimum jail standard, namely Rule §273.5-Mental Disabilities/Suicide Prevention Plan, which is in the chapter that addresses Health Services. The rule’s purpose is to identify detainees who are known or observed to be potentially suicidal or mentally disabled.

TCJS inspectors made the following note with regard to Crosby County Jail’s noncompliance:

  • Inmate medical files were reviewed, and it was discovered that, on 2 of 5 occasions when warranted by the Continuity of Care Query (CCQ) return, staff failed to notify the magistrate by 70 hours to 27 days.

Crosby County Jail’s address is 201 W Aspen Street in Crosbyton, Texas 79322. The jail has a bed capacity of 11.

The Crosbyton TX Jail Fails to Provide Suicide Training to Jail Staff

Other recent jail inspections that Crosby County Jail failed occurred in 2020 and 2018, when the jail failed two inspections. Many times, after custodial deaths occur in non-compliant jails, TCJS inspectors find that a death is potentially associated with a rule violation. Lack of proper supervision of inmates is a frequent violation discovered after inmate deaths in Texas jails.

One of two areas of non-compliance discovered at Crosby County Jail in 2020 was the failure to provide jail staff with annual suicide training. Especially considering that suicide is the leading cause of death in jails, failing to provide jail staff with training on suicide prevention can directly contribute to preventable deaths.

A 21-Year-Old Dies by Suicide in January 2024

The death of a 21-year-old in the Universal City, Texas, jail on January 23, 2024, occurred 4 hours after he went through intake. To consider the death preventable is not a stretch. Suicide prevention training of jail staff includes information about recognizing and responding to detainees at risk for suicide. A blatant indicator is that any inmate is potentially a suicide risk on the first day of incarceration, considering that approximately 22% of jail suicides occur in the first 24 hours. Giving potentially suicidal inmates access to items easily used to fashion a ligature makes no sense. More than 90% of jail suicides result from hanging.

  • The summary of how the young man died in the Universal City jail in Bexar County says that an officer was conducting a cell check and observed that the detainee was on the floor with a cord wrapped around his neck and foam coming out of his mouth.

Seeking Help for Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Incarceration in a county or municipal jail does not mean your basic rights disappear. If detainees face mistreatment, like being denied medical care, it’s crucial that those responsible are held accountable.

Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that neglect was a factor in their death? Or were you previously incarcerated in a county or municipal jail and suffered severe injuries due to negligence? If so, we may be able to help. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are dedicated to addressing custodial death cases, using years of experience to provide focused legal representation. We are available 24/7. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form to arrange a free case evaluation.

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smchugh

Enrique Hernandez Dies After 3 Months in Midland County Jail

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Enrique Hernandez was booked into Midland County Jail on May 25, 2024. Mr. Hernandez died in the jail’s custody on August 29, 2024, at 22 years of age. A custodial death report (CDR) was filed by the Midland County Sheriff’s Department on September 3, 2024, under the direction of Sheriff David Criner. Mr. Hernandez’s autopsy results are awaited. However, the CDR provides helpful information. For instance, Mr. Hernandez made suicidal statements and exhibited mental health problems when he entered the jail.

In answer to the question of his medical cause of death, the CDR states that Mr. Hernandez was in a padded cell. He jumped back and struck his head on the floor. Officers found him and, although he was breathing, he was unresponsive. He was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital.

Details continue in the summary of how his death occurred, but no dates or times are included. It begins by stating that Mr. Hernandez was on suicide watch and had been placed in a violent cell. His actions were caught on camera and viewed at a later time. While in the violent cell, he attempted to do what appeared to be a backflip, and he landed on the side of his head.

Mr. Hernandez was being cleared out of the padded cell and was in the process of being moved back to his previous housing while remaining on suicide watches. However, it was discovered that he was unresponsive to stimuli at this time. At this point, he was transported to the Midland Memorial Hospital, where it was discovered that he had an inoperable brain hemorrhage. He was flown via helicopter to Lubbock Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased 2 days later.

The address of Midland County Jail is 400 S Main St, Midland, TX 79701. The jail has an 800-bed capacity.

Failed Jail Inspections at Midland County Jail Reveal Danger to Inmates

Since 2020, Midland County Jail in Midland, Texas, has been found non-compliant at least five times. On two of those jail inspection reports, inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards discovered areas of neglect that could potentially result in harm to detainees.

Earlier this year, on March 28, 2024, a non-compliance letter was sent to Midland County Jail after completion of a jail inspection on March 25 and 26. On April 3, 2023, another failed jail inspection showed a specific area of potential jail neglect, as well. See the respective details below:

  • Observation logs provided showed that jail staff was not conducting the required 30-minute checks of the detainees in holding cells.
  • Inspectors found that restraint chair documentation revealed that on 38 occasions, detainees were placed in restraint chair systems where there was no documentation of the required 15-minute face-to-face observations.

Is Help Available for Jail Medical Neglect and Suicide Cases?

According to a recent study, about 68% of detainees in county and city jails with chronic medical conditions do not receive adequate care while behind bars—a shocking statistic. If you’ve faced serious health problems due to medical neglect or other forms of neglect in a municipal or county jail, or if a loved one has passed away as a result of neglect or suicide while incarcerated in local jail facilities, we urge you to contact us. Our firm has significant experience in handling jail neglect cases, with a dedicated team focused on custodial death cases.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free case review. We are available 24/7 by phone, text, or via our online form.

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smchugh

Cherokee County Jail Fails in the Distribution of Prescribed Meds

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3d interior Jail

After an inspection of Cherokee County Jail on August 19, 2024, a notice of non-compliance was sent to the jail on August 23 citing it for violating one minimum jail standard. As a result, the Cherokee County Jail is now listed as a non-compliant jail on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website.

Under the Health Services Plan, the Cherokee County Jail was found to be in violation of the rule requiring prescription medications to be distributed according to the written instructions of physicians. A TCJS inspector indicated the following:

  • Medical administration records (MARs) at Cherokee County Jail were reviewed in response to a complaint. It was discovered that between January through June 2024, the distribution of prescribed medications was not completed on multiple occasions.

The address of Cherokee County Jail is 272 Underwood St, Rusk, TX 75785. The Rusk jail has an inmate capacity of 188.

Inmates in Local Jails Die Because They Are Denied Prescription Meds

There is no shortage of stories from jails across America about detainees who died because they were allegedly denied necessary medication. The following are a few examples found in recent news stories:

  • A particular third-party healthcare company is the target of a story about high death tolls in jails where they provide medical care. Details about several deaths are provided. One tragic death occurred in which it was ruled that a woman died in a jail outside Texas because she was denied her anti-seizure medication.
  • A 41-year-old man in a North Carolina county jail pleaded for his prescription anti-depressant medication. Records show he made the request 16 times, but his requests were denied. After being booked into the jail on April 3, 2021, he was found hanging in his cell on May 22, 2021, and was pronounced deceased that day.
  • A 54-year-old man was arrested for a misdemeanor in Florida. When he entered the jail, he explained that his heart would fail if he did not take his anti-rejection medicine for his heart transplant. While at the jail, he was not provided with his medication. The condition of his heart worsened to the point that he died of acute rejection of the heart three days after his release from jail.
  • There are many stories about detainees who were suffering through drug withdrawals and were not provided with treatments that could have saved their lives.

Pursuing Justice for Jail Deaths Caused by Neglect

Being incarcerated should not mean a loss of civil rights. If you suspect that a loved one died in a Texas jail due to jail neglect or abuse, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone as soon as possible. Our firm is dedicated to seeking justice for those affected by custodial deaths, with a devoted team focused on these cases. We can also help many former detainees who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of jail neglect during their time in jail. Contact us anytime—by phone, text, or through our online form. We are available 24/7, and we are committed to asserting inmates’ fundamental rights.

 

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smchugh

Burleson County Jail is Cited After an Inmate’s Death

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Burleson County Jail in Caldwell, Texas, was recently added to the list of non-compliant jails on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. A day after an August 26, 2024, special jail inspection at the Caldwell jail, a notice of non-compliance was sent. TCJS inspectors found that two minimum jail standards were violated in connection with a custodial death at Burleson County Jail.

The TCJS inspector noted the following regarding Rule §273.2-Health Services Plan:

  • Following a custodial death at Burleson County Jail, the Medication Administration Records (MARs) were reviewed. Rather than administering a medication twice daily, as the physician ordered, it was given only once per day. Another medication that a physician indicated should be administered each night was not provided at all.

Burleson County Jail also violated Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers, allegedly in connection with a custodial death:

  • After a Burleson County Jail detainee died, a review of the video showing observation rounds revealed that they were not conducted according to minimum jail standards. On five (5) occasions, the jail staff did not conduct a face-to-face check of the inmate.

Burleson County Jail’s address is 1334 Highway 21 E. in Caldwell, Texas 77836. The jail has a bed capacity of 96.

How Important is Jail Supervision?

When Texas jails are inspected, it is often discovered that there has been at least one failure in regard to the supervision of detainees. As shown above, Burleson County Jail was cited for failing to conduct face-to-face checks as required. Lack of supervision according to minimum jail standards can have tragic consequences. From inmate-on-inmate violence to an inmate experiencing a medical emergency to a detainee attempting to commit suicide, supervision is the most important element of prevention.

Burleson County Jail Recently Failed to Provide Suicide Training

On September 26, 2023, a jail inspection revealed that Burleson County Jail violated one of the requirements under the suicide prevention plan. Inspectors’ notes revealed the following:

  • Out of 14 total jail staff, 4 did not complete the annual suicide prevention training as required by the Burleson County operational plan for the jail.

Suicide prevention should be a top priority in local jails because it is the leading cause of death in that environment. Jail staff training is essential because the staff are the ones who usually have the best opportunity to prevent an unnecessary death by suicide. Without training, important detainee protections could be denied. The most common method in which jail inmates commit suicide is by hanging, and death by hanging takes only a few minutes.

Need Assistance with Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being held in a county or municipal jail doesn’t mean losing your fundamental rights. When detainees suffer mistreatment such as denial of medical care, it is vital that those responsible are held accountable.

Have you lost a family member in a Texas jail and believe neglect played a role in their death? Or perhaps you were previously incarcerated and sustained serious injuries due to negligence? If so, we may be able to assist. The Law Offices of Dean Malone is committed to handling custodial death cases, drawing on years of experience to offer dedicated legal representation.

We are available 24/7. Contact us by phone, text, or through our online form to arrange a free case evaluation.

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smchugh

Jose Galarza Dies in the Custody of the Dallas County Jail on 8/13/24

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Fifty-one-year-old Jose Guadalupe Galarza went through Dallas County Jail intake on March 21, 2024. Mr. Galarza died in the jail’s custody on August 13, 2024. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) on August 22, 2024. Although the results of an autopsy are still pending, the CDR shows that Mr. Galarza’s cause of death was heart failure. In the summary of how Mr. Galarza’s death occurred, the CDR shows that on the day of his death, he was transported by ambulance and admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. At 6:53 PM Dr. Dale Butler pronounced Mr. Galarza deceased, and he made the determination about the cause.

Located at 111 West Commerce St. in Dallas, TX, the Dallas County Jail is also known as the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Between the North Tower Detention Facility, the West Tower Detention Facility, and the Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility, Dallas County Jail can house approximately 7,100 detainees.

How Might Violations of Minimum Jail Standards Reflect on the Care of Inmates at Dallas County Jail?

In recent years, Dallas has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on four occasions. Each provides information that may reveal lax standards toward the care of inmate, in violation of minimum standards.

For example, following a jail inspection conducted on September 6, 2022, a TCJS inspector left the following note:

  • A review of video submitted after custodial death revealed that observation rounds were not conducted in accordance with minimum jail standards.

This violation is in the category of inmate supervision. It is widely recognized that failing to supervise inmates according to minimum jail standards puts inmates at risk for suicide, untended medical emergencies, and inmate-on-inmate violence.

On October 18, 2018, there was a special jail inspection that was also a follow-up to a custodial death. Inspectors state that the 30-minute face-to-face observations of the inmate in question had not occurred.

How Might an Inmate’s Death at Dallas County Jail Suggest Possible Neglect?

On January 18, 2018, a 23-year-old detainee at Dallas County Jail died from “Septic complications of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infection.” Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can be averted almost 100% of the time with proper monitoring of infection. In most cases, people who receive antibiotics in a timely manner recover instead of going into septic shock or experiencing other septic complications that result in death.

Legal Support for Jail Medical Neglect from the Law Offices of Dean Malone

If you believe a loved one died due to neglect or abuse while in a Texas jail, obtaining skilled legal representation is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are committed to asserting the rights of inmates and their families, with a focus on cases involving deaths in jail, including custodial suicides. Our experienced team is well-versed in handling these sensitive matters. Moreover, if you are a former inmate who suffered mistreatment, neglect, or inadequate medical care leading to severe injuries, we may be able to help. Reach out to us for a free case evaluation—our team is available around the clock by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Rule Violations by Hamilton County Jail TX Result in an Inmate Escape

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The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website currently shows that Hamilton County Jail in Hamilton, Texas, is non-compliant with minimum jail standards. The notice with results from a July 11, 2024, inspection was sent on August 5, 2024. Inspectors’ notes address conditions that did contribute or may have contributed to the June 7, 2024, escape of a detainee.

  • In violation of Rule §259.102-Facility Security Requirements, all security doors were unsecured, resulting in an inmate escape on June 7.
  • Hamilton County Jail is also allegedly non-compliant with Rule §275.1-Regular Observation by Jailers. A review of the June 7 escape revealed that a licensed jailer was not on duty in the facility at the time the escape occurred.

Hamilton County Jail’s address is 1108 S Rice in Hamilton, Texas 76531. The jail’s bed capacity is 24.

Are Jail Escapes Common in the U.S.?

Various minimum jail standards directly contribute to the prevention of detainee escapes. Yet, escapes occur more frequently than they should. In news, the following are a few details about recent jail escapes:

  • In June 2024, a detainee in the custody of Rusk County Jail in Tyler, Texas, had been taken to a hospital. After seeing medical professionals, the man allegedly assaulted a police officer and tried to take a firearm from him. The officer retained his firearm, but the inmate escaped custody. However, the escapee only got through the parking lot and to the street before being recaptured by a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper and a police officer.
  • In 2023 news, there were two escapes from a Louisiana county jail within a month. The Sheriff from that parish acknowledged that “there is no excuse for it.” One of the inmates escaped from a church where he was on a work release detail. It was suspected that he made arrangements for the escape beforehand. The first of the two escapes occurred when the inmate was being escorted back to a van after being in court. Both escapees were still at large at the time the news story was written.
  • In May 2024 news, an inmate escaped from the custody of Ector County Jail in Odessa, Texas, while at the Ector County Courthouse. A deputy was attempting to handcuff the inmate when he made his escape. The man was arrested later in the day near Odessa Regional Medical Center.
  • In late 2023, a news story reported that an inmate escaped from Jefferson County Jail in Colorado by climbing a fence and he was still at large.

Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone for Jail Death and Neglect Cases

If you believe your loved one’s death in jail was due to neglect, or if you’ve endured significant injuries from medical neglect or abuse while in a Texas county or municipal jail, it’s vital to secure knowledgeable legal support.

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have years of experience in cases involving jail neglect, abuse, and wrongful deaths in custody, including jail suicides. With our dedicated team, we offer dependable legal representation. Don’t hesitate—reach out to us 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form for assistance.

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smchugh

Robertson County Jail Again Fails to Provide Timely Observations

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Inspectors from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted an inspection at Robertson County Jail on July 25, 2024. The following day, a notice of non-compliance was issued to the Franklin, Texas, jail for the alleged violation of one minimum jail standard. In the chapter on the supervision of inmates, at-risk detainees, including those who are suicidal, must be observed by jailers face to face in staggered increments not to exceed every 30 minutes. Inspectors discovered that jail staff exceeded the 30-minute face-to-face observations by 1 to 23 minutes.

Robertson County Jail has a recent history of failing to provide proper supervision to the inmates who have been identified as the most vulnerable to suicide. In local jails, suicide is the leading cause of death among detainees, and suicide prevention is an essential role of the jail staff. The following are notes from TCJS inspectors when citing Robertson County Jail for violations of the supervision of inmates under two of the rules covering 30-minute observations. The notes are from inspections on the dates shown:

  • October 4, 2023: A review of 30- and 60-minute observations revealed that staff were exceeding the rounds by anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours;
  • October 26, 2018: Observation logs and video indicated that jail staff are not observing inmates confined in a holding cell or detoxification cell within 30 minutes as required by minimum standards.
  • June 26, 2018: There was no documentation to verify that observations were conducted every 30 minutes in holding and detox as required by minimum jail standards.; and, also, a review of observation logs indicated that jailers are exceeding the visual face-to-face observation of inmates as required by the administration. The observation log utilized by staff indicates that ALL jail checks are to be conducted within 30 minutes and printed on the log. Jailers are exceeding the 30-minute limit from 12 minutes up to 29 minutes.

Robertson County Jail’s address is 113 Deckard Street, Franklin, Texas 77856. The jail’s bed capacity is 53.

Texas Inmates in Local Jails Are at Risk for Suicide

A study in 2015 found that of 501 inmate deaths that occurred in county Texas jails since 2009, 140 of them—nearly one-third—were by suicide. Most were by hanging. Detainees had used bed linens, trash bags, telephone cords, electrical cords, and clothing to fashion ligatures and hang themselves. According to a case report on the topic, death takes only a few minutes to occur during a suicidal hanging. This alone is enough to stress the importance of the supervision of inmates according to TCJS guidelines.

Around-the-Clock Support for Jail Death Cases

Jails are responsible for ensuring the well-being of everyone in their custody. If you were detained in a Texas jail and suffered serious injuries due to neglect, including medical neglect, don’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. With extensive experience asserting inmates’ rights, we are committed to providing legal support whenever possible. If you have lost a loved one in jail due to suspected medical neglect or abuse, we may also be able to offer our assistance to you. A dedicated team at our office works exclusively on jail death cases.

Reach out to us as soon as possible. We are available 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Montgomery County Jail Fails in a Suicide Prevention Measure

Silhouette of barbed wires and watchtower of prison.

Montgomery County Jail in Conroe, Texas, has been added to the list of non-compliant jails on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. A day after the July 25, 2024, jail inspection, the correspondence advising the jail of their non-compliance was sent. TCJS inspectors discovered that Montgomery County Jail violated three minimum jail standards.

Two of the rules violated by Montgomery County Jail are part of the overall suicide prevention plan. The following notes from the inspectors indicate areas in which they failed to protect potentially suicidal detainees:

  • It was discovered during the inspection that staff were not processing suicide screening forms as outlined in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22.
  • Face-to-face observations for areas with potentially suicidal, assaultive, and mentally ill detainees as well as those who have exhibited bizarre behavior were not conducted at least every 30 minutes, as required in minimum jail standards. Jail staff exceeded the 30-minute rounds by 1 minute up to 31 minutes.

Montgomery County Jail’s address is 1 Criminal Justice Dr, Conroe, TX 77301. The jail has a housing capacity of approximately 1,253 inmates.

A Suicide Allegedly Occurs in Montgomery County Jail During Observation Rules Violations

Suicide prevention is an important responsibility in Texas jails because it is recognized as the leading cause of death in county and municipal jails. It is often discovered that jails fail in the all-important requirement to provide supervision according to the rules.

Last year a 67-year-old detainee at Montgomery County Jail fashioned a makeshift ligature and used it to hang himself. The reason he was in a single cell was because he requested it saying he was afraid of being assaulted. The custodial death report’s (CDR’s) summary of how his death occurred also indicates that he was checked at 4:14 pm, 4:36 pm, and 4:58 pm prior to being discovered hanging in his cell at 5:04 pm.

  • TCJS inspected the jail after the man’s tragic death. They reported that the Montgomery County Jail Administration conducted an internal investigation of the in-custody suicide. It was discovered that the face-to-face observations had not occurred because the detainee had placed a sheet over the cell door, obstructing their view. Although jailers made rounds during the timeframe mandated, the observations were invalid because the jailers did not view the inmate face to face, which is required.

Looking for Help with Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a county or municipal jail does not mean losing basic rights. When detainees are mistreated or denied necessary medical care, those responsible must be held accountable.

Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and believe their death was due to neglect? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered life-altering injuries because of negligence? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, our team focuses on custodial death cases, and our years of experience allow us to provide thorough and dedicated representation.

Contact us 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form to schedule a free case review today.

author avatar
smchugh
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