TYLER, Texas (AP) — An inquiry into inmate welfare-check records at an East Texas county jail has led to four officers resigning and three other being put on administrative leave.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the investigation came about in late August when a new employee reported what was happening at the jail in Tyler.
Jail-check logs keep track of times when officers checked that all inmates are accounted for and not in distress. All cells must be checked every 45 minutes and suicide watch cells must be checked every 10 minutes. Some suicide watch inmates require constant supervision.
“These jail logs are also documentation, which we are required by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to maintain. Additionally, they are considered government documents, and entering false information into these documents constitutes a third-degree felony offense,” the Sheriff told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
The Texas Rangers are conducting a criminal investigation into the falsification and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office of Professional responsibility is doing an internal investigation.
At least 20 employees have been interviewed about the practice that, according to Smith, had been happening for about five years.
As a result of the criminal and administrative investigation, one detention sergeant and three detention officers have resigned. Additionally, one detention sergeant and two detention officers have been placed on administrative leave.
