Jail Standards Commission Making Changes After Suicide Attempt

June 20, 2008 KRIS-TV, TX http://www.kristv. com/Global/ story.asp? S=8526487& nav=Bsmh

CORPUS CHRISTI - On Wednesday, 6 News reported a tense situation at the Nueces County Courthouse, where a woman waiting for a court hearing tried to hang herself.

48-year-old Jamie Goforth was detained for missing a court appearance and a few minutes later, a bailiff discovered she had tried to hang herself. She was rushed to the hospital but has since been released and returned to the jail.

Sheriff Jim Kaelin told 6 News a bailiff took all of her belongings before putting her in the cell and all she had were the clothes she was wearing. This is the second incident involving a prisoner in one of the holding cells in just over a month.

The state jail standards commission is looking at making some major changes.

Sheriff Kaelin commented, "There is a long long history even decades of which these cells have not been inspected." He said every jail within the state is supposed to be inspected by the commission.

Adan Munoz, of the state jail standards commission, told 6 News, "My current jail inspector in south Texas was not aware there were holding cells being utilized in the courthouse."

The agency said they did not know about them until they heard the news of an inmate that rigged the plumbing and flooded an entire court floor in May.

The agency investigated the incident and issued a letter which stated the holding cells are "subject to inspection by the agency" and that if they are "found not to be in compliance, then no inmate can be placed in that holding cell."

Munoz also said the holding cells will need to be renovated, particularly the ones which lack an emergency intercom system. In addition, there is a question of bailiff training in the case of the woman who attempted suicide in a holding cell on Wednesday.

Sheriff Kaelin said he is glad the bailiff was a Certified Peace Officer with a weapon, but not all of the bailiffs have that background. He added, "Texas Commission on Jail Standards does not regulate them. They have no training unless the court gives them training."

The state jail standards commission said that is why they are asking the Attorney General's office for "a full opinion regarding the issue of supervision of inmates while confined in a court holding cell."

For now, the agency is making some quick changes of their own. Munoz confirmed, "From now on, we're making sure to ask if there are any holding cells and if there are holding cells, what are their procedures for monitoring inmates taken to court?"

The commission plans to inspect the courthouse holding cells some time this year. 6 News also learned that it could be months before the Attorney General's office issues an opinion on the issue.

Online Reporter: Lauren Williamson