HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A Texas state representative and others are asking tough questions after a series of newly released videos show what they say is a “culture of chaos” at the Harris County Jail.
During a press conference on Friday outside of the Harris County Jail, State Representative Ron Reynolds, along with civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Harris County Sheriff candidate Joe Inocencio, each blasted the Harris County Jail for its reported failures in keeping inmates safe.
Also, family members of 27 detainees “who were beaten or killed while in the care or custody of the Harris County Jail” were at the press conference, Crump said.
Inocencio told KPRC 2 a jail staffer sent him the videos with hopes of bringing attention to the persistent problems at the jail.
When asked to comment on the videos, a sheriff spokesperson sent a statement, saying, “Our office is unable to comment on political campaign events.”
There is no word on what dates the reported fights in the videos took place.
The videos are disturbing, according to Rep. Reynolds.
“The justice system is designed to punish a person after they are found guilty. No one should come to jail and be executed unless they’ve had due process. This is a housing for inmates to await their day in court if they can’t make bail. This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue, or a white or Black issue; this is a human rights issue.”
One video shows two deputies reportedly fighting while inside a hallway. According to Inocencio, the fight started after a deputy did not want to do security checks throughout the jail, and the other deputy felt he did too many security checks inside the jail.
KPRC 2 reached out to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office regarding the deputies’ statuses; however, the sheriff’s office did not respond to our specific inquiry.
In November 2023, KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun reported on staffing woes inside the facility. At that time, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:
“We currently have 204 openings for detention officers, which makes it difficult for us to meet proper staffing levels in the jail. As a result, we have been asked to outsource more people from the jail until we are able to get staffing levels up. We’re optimistic that the 12% pay increase that the Commissioners Court approved for detention officers will help with retention and recruiting.”
Another video released at Friday’s news conference shows a jailer being pushed down a flight of stairs by an inmate. After being pushed, the jailer falls onto his back. Moments later, the inmate began punching the jailer several times while the jailer attempts to free himself from the inmate’s punches. After several seconds, other deputies arrive to assist the jailer. According to Inocencio, the jailer was beaten so badly, he was unconscious. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office did not comment on the guard’s medical condition.
A third video shows an unescorted civilian woman getting punched in the face by an inmate.
“She is supposed to get escorted by a jailer, but she is not. She nearly gets knocked out by the inmate,” Inocencio said.
A fourth video shows an inmate sitting down while a jailer stands over the inmate saying something to the inmate. The video did not have audio. The inmate later stands up with his hands covering his face. Within seconds, the deputy punches the man in the face while the man holds his hands over his face. KPRC 2 reached out to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office regarding any disciplinary actions against the deputy; however, the sheriff’s office did not respond to our specific inquiry.
The videos come as Harris County Jail officials combat a series of issues plaguing the department. Balogun reported on a pending lawsuit against Sunglass Hut in which a wrongly accused man says he was sexually assaulted by three men while he was inside the facility. The lawsuit does not name the jail as a defendant.
In February 2023, the FBI announced an investigation into deaths at the jail. At the time of the announcement, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez released the following statement:
“I look forward to learning the FBI’s findings because we must all know the full truth if we are to improve our operation and make the jail as safe as possible for everyone entrusted into our care.”
Also, in August 2023, Crump held a press conference announcing 23 families filed a lawsuit against the Harris County Jail due to deaths and assaults at the facility.
At Friday’s press conference, Rep. Reynolds said the State Texas Commission on Jail Standards is in the process of investigating the jail.
“The Harris County Jail has had continuous violations at the state level,” Reynolds said.