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Category: Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Can the New Offense Severity Scale Reduce Jail Assaults?

Front of Jail Cell

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent a technical assistance memorandum about the updated “Offense severity scale” to all Texas sheriffs and jail administrators on April 23, 2024. TCJS has revised the offense severity scale with the help of the Correctional Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University.

The purpose of the revised offense severity scale is to ensure that municipal and county jails have the most appropriate instrument for classifying Texas inmates and housing them in the least restrictive housing available without placing detainees, staff, or the public in a situation where there is a danger of harm or loss.

No one should have to be afraid of being assaulted or sexually assaulted as a result of being arrested and placed in a local jail in the U.S.

Housing as it Relates to Detainee-on-Detainee Assault, Including Sexual Assault

During the classification of inmates, high-risk inmates who pose a threat to the safety and security of the jail are supposed to be segregated from general population inmates. The following are among the criteria to identify those who should be separated to prevent assaults or sexual assaults against other detainees:

  • Prior convictions of crimes with the highest severity ratings
  • Assaultive toward staff or other inmates
  • Severe behavioral, mental health, or emotional problems
  • Gang member
  • Sexual predator
  • History of disciplinary problems

The severity scale helps guide housing decisions by classifying inmates based on the offense(s) they have allegedly committed. Previous convictions are also included. The ratings are intended to provide fair and consistent guidelines for jail staff to determine custody levels, proper housing assignments, and more. Severity ratings range from low and moderate to high and highest.

Detainees who pose the greatest threat to others are those whose charges and/or previous convictions are rated “high” and “highest” on the offense severity scale. The following are examples of the highest severity:

  • Aggravated Sexual Assault
  • Capital Murder of Multiple Persons
  • Kidnapping
  • Manslaughter
  • Trafficking Person from Shelter
  • Robbery

Violence and Sexual Victimization in Correctional Facilities

Historically, sexual victimization in jails and prisons is severely underreported–perhaps up to 80%. Many are ashamed of perceived homosexuality, and others are afraid due to threats of physical violence by the rapists.

Violence in jails gets worse as a result of overcrowding and understaffing. At a Georgia jail, a headline suggested that jail violence is a product of overcrowding. The article also suggests that the jails house a large number of inmates who shouldn’t be there because they have been convicted of violent crimes. Correctly classifying inmates helps to protect nonviolent detainees from those with high offense severity ratings.

Victims of Jail Neglect Can Get Help

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have gained years of experience representing the interests of jail detainees and their families. If you believe jail neglect was responsible for the death of a loved one who was incarcerated in a municipal or county jail, contact us today. We can also help if you suffered severely while you were incarcerated in a Texas county jail. You can reach us by phone or text or fill out our online form.

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smchugh

Karnes County Jail Fails Inmates with Mental Illness

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A jail inspection was conducted at Karnes County Jail in Karnes City, Texas, on April 16, 2024. Promptly on April 18, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance. Karnes County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. It was discovered by a TCJS inspector that magistrate notifications weren’t being processed as required.

The identification procedure during intake must comply with the Code of Criminal Procedure Article 16.22 and make referrals to available mental health officials. Karnes County Jail’s address is 500 E Wall Street in Karnes City, Texas 78118. The bed capacity at the Karnes City jail is 50.

How Must Jails Provide for Mentally Disabled and Potentially Suicidal Inmates?

Jails must protect mentally ill and potentially suicidal inmates. If there is evidence at intake that a detainee may be mentally ill or at risk for suicide, one of their duties is to notify a magistrate. This immediately has a potential impact on inmates with mental issues, including the following:

  • Well-informed Magistrate Judges can make appropriate bond decisions and help connect detainees with treatment before such individuals possibly lose the ability to maintain normalcy or to apply psychological defenses. History shows that the mentally disabled may become incompetent within the jail environment.
  • Sheriffs are notified that these detainees may require special care.
  • Defense attorneys are assisted in building an appropriate defense and, by client request, they can advocate for appropriate services or treatments.
  • Trial judges are notified of what is involved to effectively administer justice because a case may involve additional resources, complexities, and support from the community.

Suicide Prevention is Among the Long-Term Benefits of the 16.22 Process

Suicide is a prevalent cause of death in local jails. TCJS requires that members of all jail staff are acquainted with signs that an inmate may be suicidal. The staff involved with intake are given additional training to help ensure that at-risk inmates are placed in areas where the face-to-face observation of detainees occurs every 30 minutes maximum.

So, jailers must be aware of every detainee who has shown signs of being at risk for suicide. Additionally, statistics show that a large percentage of inmates are at risk for suicide, though many show no signs of it in their history or behavior. In other words, no inmate should be disregarded as a suicide risk.

The timing of suicides should also be well-known in local jails. The first 24 hours is when a large percentage of custodial suicides occur. The period from the 2nd to the 14th day of incarceration is when most jail suicides occur.

Help for Jail Medical Neglect

There is something you can do if you believe a loved one died because of any form of jail neglect in a facility in Texas. A victim of jail neglect who sustained a life-altering injury may also have standing to demand justice. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have gained years of experience representing the rights of ex-jail inmates and their loved ones. Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free case evaluation. You can reach us by phone call, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Hutchinson County Jail is Found to be Habitually Non-Compliant

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

A special jail inspection was conducted at Hutchinson County Jail in Borger, Texas, on April 15, 2024. The next day, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance. Hutchinson County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. A TCJS inspector discovered an area of systematic non-compliance to the rule requiring classification reassessments. The reclassification of all seven of the inmates reviewed exceeded the 90-day maximum by 1 to 33 days. Hutchinson County Jail’s address is 1400 Veta Street in Borger, Texas 79007. The bed capacity at the Borger jail is 70.

Reclassification of Inmates Helps Ensure Jail Safety and Security

County jail and municipal jail inmates must be classified when they go through intake, when housing decisions are being made, and between 30 and 90 days after they are booked. The purpose of classification is to identify security and health issues. The process begins with behaviors during their arrest. Gaining insight into their mental state is a chief concern because suicide is the leading cause of death in U.S. jails. Other behaviors important to the matter of classification include their threat of safety to themselves or others, prior assaultive or violent behaviors, and more.

Immediate action is crucial when a detainee makes suicidal statements or exhibits signs of being potentially suicidal. They should be housed in areas that provide increased supervision. Isolation should be avoided because it greatly increases the possibility of making a suicide attempt.

Research clearly shows that the jail environment can negatively impact the mental health of detainees. This should be a significant consideration during reclassification because jail inmates with mental health disorders cause most of the rule violations, disciplinary problems, and physical assaults. In addition, a detainee who formerly appeared to be mentally stable may become suicidal and need increased supervision.

How Can Incarceration Impact the Mental Health of Jail Detainees?

A survey of jail inmates after 12 months of incarceration looked for indications of mania, major depression, or psychotic disorders. Signs of mania or major symptoms of depression included various behaviors and feelings. Examples are loss of interest in activities, persistent sadness, psychomotor agitation, insomnia or hyposomnia, and persistent irritability or anger. Approximately 39.6% of detainees in local jails exhibited major depressive or mania symptoms after 12 months, which was more than inmates in state prisons (32.9%) and Federal prisons (23.7%).

Jails have a responsibility to inmates experiencing mental health problems. There are communication, housing, and supervision procedures that apply to those who are mentally ill and/or potentially suicidal. Jail staff must also be familiar with intervention and emergency procedures prior to and during the occurrence of serious deterioration of an inmate’s mental condition and a suicide attempt.

Are You a Victim of Jail Neglect?

You may be a victim of jail neglect if a loved one died in a U.S. jail and you are aware that prescribed medications weren’t administered to them or they were in some other way affected by jail neglect. The Law Offices of Dean Malone has a team working with jail deaths, and we also have years of experience asserting claims for inmates who have suffered life-altering injuries due to jail neglect. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. At any time of the day or night, you can reach us by phone call, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Victoria County Jail is Found Non-Compliant After an Inmate’s Death

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

A special jail inspection was conducted at Victoria County Jail in Victoria, Texas, on April 8, 2024. Subsequently, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) sent the jail a notice of non-compliance. Victoria County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. The special inspection was scheduled as a follow-up to a custodial death. It was discovered during the review of the custodial death that the last face-to-face check conducted before the discovery of the inmate exceeded the 30-minute maximum between observations. Victoria County Jail’s address is 401 E Oak Street., Victoria, Texas 77901. The bed capacity at the Victoria jail is 532.

An Inmate at Victoria County Jail Hung Himself Within 1.5 hours

The custodial death that is likely referenced in the April 8, 2024, special jail inspection report sent to Victoria County Jail is one filed by the Victoria County Sheriff’s Department on March 7, 2024. About 1.5 hours after his arrival at the jail, a 41-year-old detainee was discovered hanging in his single cell.

The CDR describes what transpired after he was discovered, which includes the man being pronounced deceased by a physician on March 3, found alive on March 4 by the physician who was about to perform organ harvesting, placed in ICU with no ventilation or respiratory assistance on March 6, and pronounced deceased again on March 7, 2024.

Disturbing U.S. Jail Suicide Statistics

A watchdog group published an analysis of jail suicides in 2022 which says the problem has been an overlooked national crisis for years. Between 2000 and 2019, suicides were the leading cause of jail deaths. The total of suicides in that time was 6,217, and the number represents 30% of all deaths in local jails. The jail suicide rate in 2019 was more than twice that of the general public.

The analysis tells about a 25-year-old detainee in New York who was transferred back to a county jail after being in a psychiatric hospital. The jail placed him in the general population housing, and he immediately committed suicide.

Another example of an unnecessary loss of life occurred in California. A 35-year-old man had been in a “safety cell,” where he had been continuously checked on every 15 minutes. Although his known history included suicide attempts, he managed to drown himself shortly after being released from the safety cell.

Do You Need Help With a Jail Death Caused by Jail Neglect?

Do you have a loved one who died in a local jail in the U.S. and you believe the death resulted from jail medical neglect or some other jail neglect? Or were you formerly incarcerated and, while there, you suffered life-altering injuries due to neglect? The Law Offices of Dean Malone can help with both types of cases.

Contact us as soon as possible for a free case evaluation. It is helpful to promptly pursue cases of jail neglect as near as possible to the timeframe of the event in question. This is one of the many things our years of experience have taught us. Over time, we have coordinated a team to work on custodial death cases. Call, text, or fill out our online form today.

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smchugh

Sutton County Jail is Found Noncompliant After an Escape

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Following an April 8, 2024, special jail inspection, Sutton County Jail in Sonora, Texas, was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). Sutton County Jail was cited for allegedly violating one minimum jail standard. The special inspection followed the escape of a detainee in a jailer’s personal vehicle. Sutton County Jail’s address is 401 E Oak Street., Sonora, Texas 76950. The bed capacity at the Sonora jail is 28.

The TCJS inspector’s note explaining Sutton County Jail’s breach of compliance indicates the following:

  • After a detainee escaped from Sutton County Jail, a TCJS inspector reviewed a video sent by the jail. It revealed that the inmate was able to obtain keys to a jailer’s vehicle and access to the sallyport because three doors were left unsecured. Once he was in the sallyport, the detainee lifted the sallyport gate and escaped by sliding under it.

How Dangerous is it When Jails Aren’t Secure?

In November 2023 news, an escape of four inmates is mentioned. They had chiseled their way to escape through a window on the second floor of a Georgia county jail. An inmate caused minor damage while attempting an escape less than a month later, though the sheriff stated that his escape had not been possible.

The article also mentions that the county made a $3 million security upgrade after the tragic death of a deputy inside the jail. The deputy had been stabbed in the neck by an inmate. At the time of this horrific event, it was discovered that inmates were getting out of their cells, locks didn’t always work, working conditions were unbearable, and the jail was understaffed.

Texas Rules Regarding Escapes from County Jails

Among the responsibilities that jails have toward staff, inmates, and/or the public, is to deter escapes. In the Texas Administrative Code, two rules under restraints in the chapter on health services address escapes. Supervisory personnel can require the use of restraints if it is believed necessary to prevent a credible and immediate risk that a detainee will attempt to escape. Another minimum jail standard states that the least restrictive means necessary must be used when an inmate is restrained to prevent escape, etc.

Do You Need Help Because of a Tragedy Resulting from Jail Neglect?

Jail is not supposed to be a place where citizens go to die. If one of your loved ones has died due to suspected jail neglect, such as jail medical neglect, do not hesitate in your search for justice. It helps to investigate custodial deaths soon after the tragic event because relevant facts are more likely to emerge.

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we care about jail inmates and the injustices they sometimes suffer.  We have a team dedicated to working on custodial deaths, and we have gained years of experience representing the interests of inmates. If you need help in this regard, call, text, or fill out our online form today.

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smchugh

Smith County Jail Inmate Tonya Williams Collapses and Dies

Silhouette of barbed wires and watchtower of prison.

Fifty-seven-year-old Tonya Ann Williams entered Smith County Jail in Tyler, Texas, on April 4, 2024. Ms. Williams died 3 days later. The cause of her April 7, 2024, death is unknown and pending autopsy results from toxicology. The Smith County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Williams on April 19, 2024.

Ms. Williams exhibited medical health problems during the booking process. The CDR indicates that after her admission into the jail’s jurisdiction, she received treatment for the medical condition that caused her death. It also indicates, with no further specifics, that her death was the result of a pre-existing medical condition.

Smith County Jail’s address where Ms. Williams was incarcerated is 104 S. Spring St, Tyler, TX 75702. The bed capacity in Smith County is 1,065.

Smith County Jail was Cited for 12 Minimum Standards Violations From 2022 Through 2023

For each of the past five years, Smith County Jail has been cited for violations of minimum jail standards. In 2022 and 2023 alone, Smith County Jail received four non-compliance notices for a total of 12 alleged violations. When a jail fails to meet minimum standards, detainees are or potentially could be negatively affected.

TCJS inspects Texas county jails at least annually. Multiple inspections within a year might be prompted by detainee complaints, an inmate’s escape, a custodial death, or various other reasons.

Alarming Texas Jail Statistics Re Mentally Handicapped Detainees

In February news in Austin, protests linked to custodial deaths in Texas jails were brought to light. Each of the circumstances and death locations were explored, and one common denominator became clear. Among those represented in the protest, most of the people who died while in the custody of a Texas jail were experiencing a mental health crisis. Further, another study shows that more than 50% of the people who died in 2022 in jail custody had been identified as having a mental health problem at least once since the 1980s.

Another disturbing statistic demonstrates that, overwhelmingly, the number of detainees in Texas jails that need to be admitted to a state hospital outnumbers the psychiatric beds available. As of February 1, 2024, at least 1,947 individuals were on the waitlist. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has been working for several years to expand the number of available beds.

Help for Jail Medical Neglect

Jails can be held responsible when a detainee dies due to jail neglect such as jail medical neglect. Getting help as quickly as possible is important because it could help to ensure that all pertinent facts are discoverable. It is beneficial to enlist help from attorneys with experience in the specific type of case for which you need representation. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have dedicated ourselves to jail neglect cases for many years.

Contact us today if you believe that a loved one died of some type of jail neglect while incarcerated. We are available 24/7. Former detainees who have suffered life-altering injuries while in jail are also encouraged to call, text, or fill out our online form.

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smchugh

Midland County Jail is Cited for Noncompliance

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Following an inspection that took place from March 25-26, 2024, Midland County Jail was cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for two alleged jail violations. One pertains to physical exercise for inmates and the other involves the serious matter of observation of the detainees. Midland County Jail’s address is 400 S Main St, Midland, TX 79701. The bed capacity at the Midland jail is 800.

Inmate Observations are Linked to Jail Deaths

Is the matter of inmate observations important for the prevention of death in jails? Yes. Without looking at any other statistics, this fact can be proven by perusing the results of special jail inspection reports that were follow-ups to custodial suicides and other deaths in Texas jails. Observation violations have also been connected to detainee deaths in which the cause of death was unknown or for medical reasons.

The Tragic Death of an Inmate

After an inmate died in Young County Jail in Graham, Texas, TCJS inspectors conducted a special jail inspection in May 2023. The jail has a 144-bed capacity and is located in Graham, Texas. After the inspection, Young County Jail was cited for two alleged violations of minimum jail standards. The inspector’s notes on the jail inspection report indicate that jailers had not observed the deceased inmate face-to-face as required. It also says that the inmate should have been observed every 30 minutes due to the reported mental health and behavioral issues he demonstrated.

Suicide prevention in jails has a multi-pronged approach that begins as soon as a person goes through intake. The training jailers are required to go through advises them that suicide is the number one cause of death in jails. They must be alert at all times to possible clues that an inmate is suicidal. Of the many strategies for suicide prevention, direct supervision is the most effective deterrent. The observations of inmates are the primary ways in which supervision is accomplished.

The Importance of Supervision of Inmates

In an article on the benefits of supervision in jails, several points make a strong case for keeping inmates safer by maintaining face-to-face observations. Stronger inmates are less apt to assault and abuse weaker inmates when a jailer is present or observing them. Contraband getting into jails is far too common, and jailers can often save lives if they are aware of medical emergencies such as overdoses. Also, of course, suicides can be prevented by providing the required oversight.

Has a Loved One Died from Possible Jail Neglect?

After a detainee dies in jail, the family members will often demand to know if their loved one suffered from medical neglect. They will have heard, for instance, that prescription medications weren’t dispensed to them properly. Perhaps they were aware that cries for medical care were ignored repeatedly. If an inmate’s death follows these types of situations, the facts of the case should be explored as soon as possible.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone has years of experience representing the families of detainees who died in jail. Whether in Texas or elsewhere in the U.S., contact us today if you suspect that some type of jail neglect resulted in the death of a loved one. You can reach us 24/7 by phone, text, or by completing our online form.

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smchugh

Angelica Martin Dies After 3 Weeks in Dallas County Jail

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On April 5, 2024, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about 48-year-old Angelica Martin. She was booked into the Dallas County Jail Lew Sterrett Justice Center on March 4, 2024. Tragically, she died on March 26, 2024, still in the jail’s custody.

Twenty days after she entered the Dallas jail, at 4:16 AM, a registered nurse (RN) and two Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Detention Service Officers (DSO) found Ms. Martin in an unresponsive state. They had been making a medical round to distribute medications and administer finger sticks to check blood sugar.

The RN began administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Ms. Martin regained a pulse and CPR ceased at 4:46 AM. Ms. Martin was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital (PMH) at 4:51 AM. On March 26, 2024, Ms. Martin was pronounced deceased by a physician at PMH. Her cause of death is currently unknown and pending autopsy results.

Many U.S. Jail Deaths Have Occurred in the Past Month

A search through U.S. news for jail deaths will usually reveal the alarming frequency of custodial deaths in local jails. In many cases, at least initially, the cause of death is a mystery. The following are a few examples of jail deaths within the past month.

  • The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 46-year-old detainee was found dead in his Redwood City, California, cell on March 15, 2024. Initially, suicide was reported as the cause of death. However, the official cause of death is pending autopsy results.
  • A Henry County Jail detainee was discovered dead inside his cell on Monday, March 11, 2024. Staff at the jail attempted to provide emergency medical services, but he did not revive. The man was pronounced deceased by the county coroner’s office. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office in McDonough, Georgia, released no further details.
  • On March 28, 2024, in Prince William County, Virginia, 18-year-old Juan Felipe Majia Campos was discovered unresponsive in his cell. When jail staff attempted to give lifesaving aid, they found that it was too late. Shortly after, he was pronounced deceased. Just before 9:15 AM that morning, officers responded to the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center to investigate. Preliminarily, officials said that the death appears to be narcotics-related or for unknown medical reasons.
  • On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, a 32-year-old man was found dead in his cell inside the Yakima County Sunnyside City Jail in Yakima, Washington. The man had been arrested and booked into the jail on March 29, just four days earlier.

Has Your Loved One Died in a Local Jail Due to Medical Neglect?

It is often said that jail is not supposed to be a place where people go to die. Tragically, however, many people are never released from a county or municipal jail because death came first. If this has happened to a member of your family and you think it was possibly the result of medical neglect or jail neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. For years, we’ve represented the interests of families whose loved ones died while incarcerated. We sometimes also represent former inmates who suffered a life-altering injury due to neglect while in jail. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Jim Wells County Jail Fails Inspection

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

As a result of a March 18, 2024 inspection, Jim Wells County Jail has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for one jail violation. Jim Wells County Jail’s address is 611 E 3rd Street, Alice, Texas 78332. The bed capacity at the Alice jail is 88.

Jim Wells County Jail’s Violation

When detainees are confined in a detoxification cell or a holding cell, jailers are supposed to observe them in a face-to-face check at intervals that don’t exceed every 30 minutes. After an in-custody death of a detainee at Jim Wells County Jail, a review of video revealed that five observation rounds exceeded 30 minutes.

A 45-year-old male inmate at Jim Wells County Jail was admitted on February 6, 2024. Tragically, he died three days later on February 9. This is most likely the individual referred to in the jail inspection report. His cause of death is pending autopsy results, but the medical cause of death indicates the following:

  • The detainee had a medical episode and was transported to the hospital, where he later died. Toxicology and medical examiner reports are pending.

The custodial death report (CDR) indicates that the man had a pre-existing medical condition. After he was booked into the jail, he was housed in Holding Cell A. On February 8, he suffered a medical episode in the holding cell. Jail staff rendered aid, and the male detainee was moved to the booking area, where lifesaving measures were performed. He was then moved to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Another Custodial Death at Jim Wells County Jail

On January 31, 2018, 28-year-old Marcus Soza was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell. His death on February 1, 2018, was ruled a suicide–as per the Medical Examiner’s report, “asphyxia secondary to hanging.” The young man made suicidal statements during intake, and he was in a holding cell, where the rules concerning observations were the same as mentioned above.

In the special inspection report, a TCJS inspector noted that video evidence and documentation review combined with facility administration self-reporting showed that the 30-minute face-to-face observation prior to the inmate being discovered did not occur.

This inspection, in other words, indicates that jail neglect could possibly have occurred. However, we are only providing information with no intention of making an allegation or assertion that any person or entity engaged in misconduct or behaved inappropriately.

Has Jail Neglect Been the Cause of Tragedy in Your Life?

When medical jail neglect or other types of jail neglect have occurred, it is possible to hold a jail responsible for any resulting custodial deaths or life-altering injuries. Are you concerned that a loved one who died in jail was a victim of jail neglect such as medical jail neglect? At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have years of experience representing people who fell victim to jail neglect. In addition, we have a team diligently working on our jail neglect death cases. Don’t delay! Contact us today by calling, texting, or filling out our online form.

 

 

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smchugh

Gonzales County Jail Issued Notice of Noncompliance by State

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A notice of non-compliance was sent to Gonzales County Jail on March 20, 2024. The Gonzales, Texas, jail has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for one jail violation. The citation resulted from a January 19, 2024, jail inspection. A TCJS inspector found that inmates weren’t given 24-hour written notice before a hearing was held on facility rules violations. Gonzales County Jail’s address is 1713 E Sarah DeWitt Dr, Gonzales, TX 78629. The bed capacity at the Gonzales jail is 120.

Chronic Problems Lead to Unrest in County Jails

Being the entity detainees in Texas jails must bring their grievances to, TCJS is well familiar with complaints against Texas jails. There are problems in county and municipal jails in every state. Wisconsin has recently been in the spotlight, and the biggest reason is that 6 people died in the Milwaukee County Jail in the 14 months preceding September 11, 2023.

A major incident in August 2023 brought to light discontent among detainees in the Milwaukee jail. Inmates barricaded themselves in the library and refused to go to their cells. Their chief complaint was dissatisfaction with their gymnasium time coming to an end. The detainees expressed that they wanted more “open” recreational time.

It isn’t unusual for jail protests to arise against facility policies. In Milwaukee, people detained in the jail have reported several horrific conditions to a leader in a watchdog group. At the heart of it all is that 23-hour-a-day lockdowns have become commonplace. Large and small acts of civil disobedience become the order of the day, from self-harm to intentionally clogging the toilets.

Low Jail Staffing Can Result in Jail Neglect

There are certain challenges that many jails face today. For example, low staffing is a widespread concern. Detainees spend an increased amount of time within their cells when the staff is insufficient to allow for normal dayroom schedules.

When staffing is insufficient, detainees often obstruct the view into their cell, though a clear view is required to ensure their safety and security. Face-to-face observations are important in jails, where suicide is the leading cause of death. Supervision is the best deterrent to suicide.

Medical neglect can occur when, for instance, medications aren’t distributed as directed by physicians. After 41-year-old detainee Christopher Wayne Cabler died from suicide in Red River County Jail in Texas, it was determined that, allegedly, he was not administered the medications prescribed for him after a hospital visit during his incarceration.

It could cause medical issues if inmates in restraints aren’t checked every 15 minutes, as required in minimum jail standards. Gonzales County Jail was cited in 2023 after observation records showed that an inmate held in restraints was checked on every 20 minutes.

Do You Need Help With Possible Jail Neglect?

Jails can be held accountable for certain types of neglect, such as medical neglect. Has a family member died due to jail neglect or have you suffered a life-altering injury while incarcerated? Give our office a call without delay. We will look into your claim and determine whether it is a matter we can help you with. Call, text, or fill out our online form any time of the day or night.

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smchugh
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