Concerns Raised Over Reporting of In-Custody Deaths in Tarrant County Jail
FORT WORTH, Texas – Local officials in North Texas are seeking clarity following a troubling incident regarding an in-custody death at Tarrant County Jail, which remained unreported for over 30 days. This delay contravened the state’s mandated reporting timeline to the attorney general’s office.
Overview of the Incident
On February 8, 36-year-old Charles Stephen Johnson lost his life while in custody. According to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson died at John Peter Smith Hospital due to complications related to an attempted suicide. Although the death was promptly reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the sheriff’s office failed to notify the attorney general’s office within the required 30-day period, breaching state regulations.
Response from Advocacy Groups
In light of this oversight, Krish Gundu, a co-founder of Texas Jail Project, expressed his concerns regarding the missed reporting deadline. “The law is very clear on reporting timelines,” he stated. “So when it doesn’t happen, that is cause for concern. If you have data, you can talk about what needs to change in the future that are preventable.” Gundu noted that such reports often represent the only information available to grieving families.
Clarification from Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
The sheriff’s department acknowledged the reporting failure, attributing it to a clerical error. According to a statement issued by the office, “The report for inmate Phillips was successfully submitted; however, the report for inmate Johnson was not. The supervisor was not aware that only one report was successfully submitted.” This statement followed the eventual filing of the report with the attorney general on March 11, nearly a month after Johnson’s death.
Community Reaction
The situation has raised alarm among officials, including Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who has previously called for increased transparency regarding the number of inmate deaths in the county. “I knew about the death,” Simmons commented, “but I did not know it had not been reported to the state properly.” She expressed her intention to formally address this oversight in an upcoming commissioners court meeting, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation and potential measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Broader Context
Since Sheriff Bill Waybourn assumed office in 2017, Tarrant County has reported nearly 70 in-custody deaths, including the notable case of Anthony Johnson Jr., which has drawn significant public scrutiny and led to criminal indictments against multiple jail staff members.
Conclusion and Moving Forward
This incident highlights ongoing issues surrounding inmate safety and transparency within Tarrant County Jail. As community leaders seek to understand the circumstances leading to these reporting failures, advocates continue to stress the importance of accountability and thorough investigation into in-custody deaths.
For further information, visit the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office website.
