Overcrowding and Understaffing in Harris County Jail Lead to Prisoner Deaths
Two Prisoners Die in January, One in Louisiana Prison
Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media
People detained inside the Harris County Jail. Taken on July 25, 2019.
Two Harris County prisoners died this month, one of whom died after being transferred to a private prison in Louisiana – an ongoing practice used to address overcrowding within the county jail in downtown Houston.
Erik Carlson’s Death
Erik Carlson, 29, was booked into the Harris County Jail on Jan. 5 after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and retaliation. On Jan. 17, he was transferred to the LaSalle Correctional Center, a privately-owned prison in Louisiana located nearly 300 miles away. One week later, on Jan. 24, he was “hospitalized for an unknown medical condition,” according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Carlson died the next day.
Denaly Matute’s Death
Another prisoner died while in custody at the Harris County Jail just days before Carlson drew his last breath. Court records say 70-year-old Denaly Matute was charged with aggravated assault of a family member and booked into the jail on Dec. 5. About a month later, he was brought to Ben Taub Hospital “for a pre-existing medical condition,” according to the sheriff’s office. He was declared dead Jan. 19 at around 4:12 p.m.
Overcrowding and Understaffing Concerns
The deaths mark the first two reported deaths at the Harris County Jail this year. At least 10 people died while in custody last year, a decrease from 2023 when at least 19 people died.
Private Prisons and the LaSalle Correctional Center
The LaSalle Correctional Center is one of several private facilities utilized by the county to alleviate chronic overcrowding and understaffing within the Harris County Jail. Three of the facilities are located outside of Texas: LaSalle in Louisiana, along with LaSalle’s Natchitoches Parish Detention Center in the same state and the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Mississippi.
Concerns Over Distance and Oversight
This practice has drawn criticism from jail reform advocates like Krish Gundu, executive director of Texas Jail Project, who says the distance makes oversight difficult and puts prisoners at greater risk.
“[We] essentially created a system where we can play accountability ping pong,” Gundu said. “The sheriff’s office can say, ‘It’s not our fault because the death happened in LaSalle in Louisiana,’ and LaSalle will say, ‘Well, we’re just a holding facility for the sheriff’s office,’ and they don’t have to investigate, and none of the usual protocols and procedures are followed.”
Conclusion
The deaths of Erik Carlson and Denaly Matute highlight the ongoing concerns over overcrowding and understaffing within the Harris County Jail. The practice of transferring prisoners to private facilities outside of Texas raises concerns over oversight and accountability.
FAQs
**Q: What is the current state of the Harris County Jail?**
A: The Harris County Jail is overcrowded and understaffed, leading to concerns over prisoner safety and well-being.
**Q: What is the practice of transferring prisoners to private facilities?**
A: The practice is used to alleviate chronic overcrowding and understaffing within the Harris County Jail by transferring prisoners to private facilities, including the LaSalle Correctional Center in Louisiana.
**Q: What are the concerns over this practice?**
A: Critics argue that the distance between the Harris County Jail and private facilities raises concerns over oversight and accountability, putting prisoners at greater risk.
**Q: What is being done to address the issue?**
A: The Texas Commission of Jail Standards is working to address the issue, but some critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of prisoners.
