Texas is home to 254 counties, and most of them operate jails that house both convicted criminals and individuals awaiting trial. These facilities must adhere to strict regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates. However, many jails across Texas have been found in violation of these standards, raising serious concerns about inmate welfare and facility management.
Understanding Texas Jail Standards
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) is responsible for overseeing and enforcing minimum requirements for the construction, maintenance, and operation of county jails in Texas. The commission consists of four inspectors who evaluate 244 county jails at least once per year, with some facilities receiving multiple inspections based on risk levels.
When a jail fails to meet these standards, it is required to take immediate corrective actions. However, many jails continue to struggle with compliance, putting inmates and staff at risk. Here is a closer look at some of the Texas county jails that have recently been found non-compliant.
Non-Compliant Jails in Texas
Castro County Jail – Dimmitt, Texas
Violation: 271.42
- Jails must conduct a reassessment of custody status within 30-90 days of the initial assessment or after any disciplinary action or legal status change.
- A review found that 11 out of 22 inmates did not receive the required 90-day classification review.
- Date of Violation: February 18, 2025
- Required Action: Immediate correction of classification review procedures.
Cherokee County Jail – Rusk, Texas
Violations: Multiple infractions were found, including:
- 273.2(7): The jail failed to ensure that medications were administered according to a physician’s written instructions.
- 273.6(3): Staff did not conduct required 15-minute observation checks on restrained inmates, with delays of 4-12 minutes in 19 instances.
- 273.6(5): No proper documentation was provided for the use of emergency restraint chairs.
- 275.1: Jail staff failed to conduct face-to-face observations of inmates, leading to improper supervision.
- 285.1: Inmates were not provided the required one hour of supervised recreation three times per week.
- Date of Violation: February 12, 2025
- Required Action: Immediate adherence to medical, restraint, and observation protocols.
Coleman County Jail – Coleman, Texas
Violations:
- 271.1(b)(3): Custody reassessments were not conducted within the required 30-90 day timeframe. One inmate went 180 days without reassessment.
- 271.7: The jail failed to conduct a classification system audit.
- Date of Violation: December 5, 2024
- Required Action: Conduct timely reassessments and audits.
Crockett County Jail – Ozona, Texas
Violations:
- 263.56: Failure to perform required weekly load tests on emergency power equipment and missed monthly load transfers.
- 273.5(b): Suicide prevention screenings were incomplete, and notifications to magistrates were not made as required.
- 273.5(c)(2): A magistrate notification was delayed by 14 hours instead of being completed within the required two-hour window.
- Date of Violation: September 23, 2024
- Required Action: Immediate compliance with safety and mental health protocols.
El Paso County Jail – El Paso, Texas
Violation: 271.1
- A mandatory custody reassessment was not conducted on an inmate for 180 days instead of the required 30-90 days.
- Date of Violation: February 25, 2025
- Required Action: Ensure timely reassessments.
Falls County Jail – Marlin, Texas
This jail has a history of multiple violations over different inspection periods:
- March 11, 2024: 13 violations found
- October 9, 2024: 2 violations found
- October 16, 2024: 2 violations found
- December 19, 2024: 14 violations found
- Currently, the Falls County Jail is 80, 143, 162, and 368 days non-compliant with required corrections.
What Needs to Be Done?
The repeated non-compliance of these jails highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of jail standards in Texas. Failure to meet these standards can lead to unsafe conditions for both inmates and staff, increasing the risk of legal action against the counties.
State officials and the TCJS must take proactive measures to ensure compliance, including:
- More Frequent Inspections: Increasing the number of inspections for high-risk facilities.
- Stricter Penalties: Imposing fines or legal consequences for continued non-compliance.
- Enhanced Training: Providing better training programs for jail staff to understand and implement regulations effectively.
- Public Transparency: Ensuring that jail violations and correction plans are publicly available to hold facilities accountable.
Conclusion
Texas county jails play a crucial role in maintaining law and order, but they must also uphold high standards for inmate welfare. The ongoing non-compliance of several jails across the state underscores the need for urgent reforms. With proper oversight and accountability, Texas can ensure that its jail facilities operate safely and efficiently while respecting the rights of those in custody.
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