Crisis Behind Bars: Systemic Failures At Tarrant County Jail

An in-depth look at medical neglect, systematic abuses, and constitutional violations.

May 16, 2024

Several calls to action are at the bottom of this article.

A distressing appeal for justice has been laid out in a revealing document obtained from a coalition of concerned community organizations—including Broadway Baptist Church, ICE Out of Tarrant, A&M Law School, and United Fort Worth. The letter, addressed to the Department of Justice, uncovers the grim realities of life within the confines of the Tarrant County Jail.

This letter was sent with a plea for intervention, and it details a series of preventable tragedies and systemic failures that have led to numerous inmate deaths and significant human rights violations within the facility. The letter uncovers multiple layers of neglect, abuse, and oversight failures.

You can read the full letter here.

The Tarrant County Jail committed systematic abuses and neglect.

The letter outlines a continuous pattern of systemic abuse, medical neglect, and failure to maintain basic human rights standards. Specific cases, such as the deaths of Robert Miller and Javonte Myers, show negligence and cover-ups within the jail.

Robert Miller.

The case of Robert Miller is one example of systemic issues of violence, inadequate medical care, and failure to investigate within the Tarrant County Jail properly. Miller, a 38-year-old homeless man with mental health issues, was arrested in July 2019 for failing to pay fines and was pepper sprayed at least three times during his booking at the jail. Miller complained that he could not breathe, that he had asthma, and that he needed water.

Despite suffering from asthma and struggling to breathe after being pepper-sprayed, his pleas for help were ignored. Jail staff carried him into a cell and left him there face-down on the floor. He was found unconscious less than an hour later and died the following day with symptoms that showed inflamed lungs, swelling in his face and neck, and blood in his ears and nose.

They were initially ruled as natural death “due to a sickle cell crisis” by the county medical examiner. The true Miller’s death was brought to light only after a lengthy investigative article by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram pointed out these inconsistencies and discussed the impossibility of Robert Miller having sickle cell disease.

A few months later and amid public outcry, in December 2022, Tarrant County contracted with an independent medical examiner for Miller’s case but never sent the records to that examiner for review. Tarrant County, the opinions of medical experts and the American Society of Hematology indicate that neither sickle cell trait nor the presence of sickled cells at autopsy would indicate a sickle cell crisis caused death without further evidence of sickle cell disease. One medical expert opined that the County’s finding “appears to be related to finding a reason to explain death when the real reason is something they’re trying to keep covered.”

Javonte Myers.

The death of Javonte Myers in June 2020 highlights the ongoing issues at Tarrant County Jail regarding the care of inmates and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. Myers, a 28-year-old inmate with a history of severe medical and mental health conditions, including a seizure disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, was found dead in his cell just two days after being booked.

When he was found dead in his cell, his body was already exhibiting rigor mortis. An investigation revealed evidence that jail staff had falsified records of routine checks for hours under instructions from their supervisors. This falsification of records came less than a month after the Texas Commission on Jail Standards found Tarrant County Jail out of compliance with minimum observation standards following the suicide of another individual and staff’s failure to check on him.

Despite assurances of improved monitoring practices, staff were instructed to ignore these guidelines, which coincided with the deaths of two other inmates in the same period. Two officers faced criminal charges related to the falsification of records.

Tarrant County Jail’s failure in oversight and transparency.

The letter to the Department of Justice raises serious concerns over the failure of oversight and transparency at Tarrant County Jail, pointing specifically to the roles of the Texas Rangers and local authorities. It alleges that these bodies have consistently failed to conduct thorough and unbiased investigations into the numerous reported incidents of death and abuse within the facility. This lack of diligent oversight is a critical factor contributing to the recurring patterns of neglect and abuse that remain unaddressed.

These authorities are accused of inadequately responding to evidence, often accepting superficial explanations for inmate deaths and ignoring or overlooking contradictory evidence that suggests misconduct or negligence. For instance, the initial dismissal of Robert Miller’s death as a “natural” event due to a sickle cell crisis—despite clear signs of physical distress following severe mistreatment—highlights a systemic inclination to overlook possible culpability within jail management and staff.

Jails in Texas are required to report deaths in custody. These must be filed within 30 days of the death, and those responsible for filing can, in theory, be prosecuted for failing to complete the form or report known information. The Attorney General’s Office maintains a database of the custodial death reports on its website. According to this database, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has reported the following deaths for those in the jail’s custody in the past six years:

0 reported deaths in 2017;
2 reported deaths in 2018;
5 reported deaths in 2019;
17 reported deaths in 2020;
13 reported deaths in 2021;
11 reported deaths in 2022;
3 reported deaths thus far in 2023.

These numbers do not reflect the full death rate in the jail. First, there are documented deaths that do not appear in these numbers, such as the death of Billy LaRae Freeland in 2017, a year when the jail reported no custodial deaths. The death of Z.C.H., a baby born in jail without the assistance of jail staff, died shortly after birth in 2020. The sheriff himself stated that 52 people have died in the jail since 2017—one more than what is documented on the Attorney General’s website—confirming that these records are incomplete.

Tarrant County Jail’s violations of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments led to preventable deaths and injuries.

Tarrant County Jail has placed individuals booked into the jail at risk of death and serious injury through its deliberate indifference to individuals’ health and wellbeing and its unnecessary and malicious use of force. Individuals in the jail have suffered because of the failure to provide adequate medical and mental health care; the failure to appropriately and timely check on vulnerable individuals, especially those with medical and mental health conditions and at risk of suicide; and the deliberate and malicious use of force against individuals in their custody and care.

Ricky Farmer.

Ricky Farmer, 57, died on February 26, 2020, after not receiving his necessary medication for grand mal seizures for three days. He was found unresponsive in his jail cell and later declared dead at John Peter Smith Hospital. The sheriff’s custodial death report labeled the death as “natural,” attributing it to “Anoxia / Secondary outside of hospital cardiac arrest” due to a pre-existing medical condition, without detailing the circumstances of the death. Farmer was previously known to have mental health issues and was kept in a single cell, supposedly for his protection.

Kelly Masten.

Kelly Masten, 38, who suffered from frequent seizures and has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old, ended up in a coma with severe bruising after spending ten days in jail starting April 21, 2022. Initially arrested after a seizure-induced incident, she was supposed to be taken for medical evaluation but remained in jail. Despite a brief hospital visit, she was returned to jail, where she reportedly suffered multiple seizures, witnessed unassisted by her visiting father via webcam. After finally being returned to the hospital ten days post-arrest, she exhibited extensive physical injuries. The Sheriff’s Office claimed she was adequately monitored, a claim contradicted by the family’s observations of her care needs and the physical evidence of her condition.

The letter to the Department of Justice underscores profound violations of constitutional rights within Tarrant County Jail, specifically breaches of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.

The incidents detailed in the letter, including the cases of Robert Miller and Javonte Myers, highlight a systemic disregard for these constitutional protections. Miller’s exposure to excessive and potentially lethal force, followed by a lack of medical intervention, exemplifies cruel and unusual punishment. Myers’ death, preceded by neglect despite his known severe health conditions, further illustrates the failure to provide the necessary care, which is a fundamental right under the Eighth Amendment.

Moreover, jail authorities’ failure to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into these deaths points to a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause. This clause ensures that all individuals, regardless of their status or condition, are treated with fundamental fairness and justice under the law. As detailed in the letter, the systemic issues within Tarrant County Jail reflect a disturbing pattern of ignoring these constitutional mandates, thereby undermining the legal and ethical standards expected in correctional environments.

Calls to action - Take action for justice in Tarrant County.

Kaiyere Campbell

Since 2017, the jail has recorded 64 deaths. Currently, 21-year-old Kaiyere Campbell, who is Black and has been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and schizophrenia, is at risk. Arrested during a manic episode, Kaiyere is now on a mental health hold and deemed incompetent to stand trial, yet he awaits a lengthy process for competency restoration. His mother, Shantel, is deeply concerned for his wellbeing as his mental and physical health deteriorates in jail. Urgent calls are being made for the District Attorney to drop the charges and immediately transfer to a supportive living facility where he can receive appropriate care.

Help secure the release of Kaiyere Campbell from Tarrant County Jail to ensure he receives the necessary care. Add your name to the campaign letter now. Sign here.

Support Crystal Mason.

Join the movement to support Crystal Mason by attending one of the upcoming events. Learn more and engage at the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County Annual Meeting. Details and registration are here.

Hold Judge Tim O'Hare Accountable.

Participate in Judge O'Hare's efforts against extremism. Sign the letter to voice your concern and learn about upcoming events like the Commissioners Court Meeting on 5/21.

Join Black Voters Matter.

Get involved in texting campaigns to raise awareness about key issues, such as Crystal Mason's case. Join here and download the Impactive app to participate actively. App download.

Stay Informed.

Ensure you’re up to date with the latest actions and information by signing up for text messages from the Fort Worth Black and Brown Coalition. Subscribe here.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

The next Tarrant County Commissioners Court will be on Tuesday, 5/21. Plan to attend and testify during public comments. Tell the Judge and Commissioners they need to step up and do more to prevent the ongoing human rights violations at Tarrant County Jail. Your presence and voice can influence the decisions made by those in power and help bring about the necessary reforms.