Harris County Jail Sees Third In-Custody Death This Year
The Harris County Jail in downtown Houston, on April 12, 2021.
Another prisoner has died while in custody at the Harris County Jail, marking the third reported death so far this year.
Prisoner Dies in Custody
Kristopher McGregor, 39, was booked into the downtown Houston jail Jan. 2 for a theft charge. About a month later, on Jan. 29, McGregor was brought to Ben Taub Hospital “for a medical emergency,” according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. He was declared dead at 6:41 p.m. Jan. 30.
Third In-Custody Death This Year
McGregor joins two others who have reportedly died while in custody this year: 70-year-old Denaly Matute and 29-year-old Erik Carlson, the latter of whom died after being transferred to a private prison in Louisiana as part an ongoing practice used to address understaffing within the county jail.
In-Custody Deaths on the Rise
A total of 10 people reportedly died while in custody last year, based on information released by the sheriff’s office. That was a decrease from 2023, when 19 people reportedly died. This followed a record number of in-custody deaths in 2022, when 27 people reportedly lost their lives — the highest number in nearly two decades, according to county records and data from the Texas Justice Initiative.
Understaffing and Safety Concerns
Persistent understaffing, among other issues, previously led to a string of failed state safety inspections within the Harris County Jail. This held true for nearly two years, up until the facility finally passed an inspection with “technical assistance” in August.
Recent Safety Concerns
However, the jail was once again dinged after jail officials failed to search a prisoner’s wheelchair when he was booked in October, allowing the man to smuggle a loaded handgun into the facility. The gun was inside the jail for more than a month before it was confiscated by authorities.
Conclusion
The recent string of in-custody deaths at the Harris County Jail raises serious concerns about safety and staffing within the facility. While the county has made efforts to address understaffing, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the well-being and safety of prisoners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people have died in custody at the Harris County Jail this year?
A: Three people have reportedly died in custody at the Harris County Jail this year.
Q: How many people died in custody at the Harris County Jail last year?
A: 10 people reportedly died in custody last year.
Q: What is the cause of the recent in-custody deaths at the Harris County Jail?
A: The cause of the recent in-custody deaths is still under investigation, but it is believed to be related to understaffing and other issues within the facility.
Q: What is being done to address the safety concerns at the Harris County Jail?
A: The county is working to address the safety concerns at the Harris County Jail, including providing additional training to staff and increasing staffing levels. However, more needs to be done to ensure the well-being and safety of prisoners.
