Hamilton writes: "More than 550 people in Texas have died so far this year while in custody either at the city, county or state level, according to data from the state attorney general's office."
Richmond County jail, Texas. (photo: Reuters)
20 November 15
ore than 550 people in Texas have died so far this year while in custody either at the city, county or state level, according to data from the state attorney general's office.
While more than half of those people died while under supervision of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, other deaths occurred with local police departments or sheriff's offices. TDCJ oversees many medical facilities.
For example, of the 18 deaths in Dallas this year, 12 people died while in custody with Dallas Police Department, four died in Dallas County Sheriff's Department custody, and two died while booked with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Dallas is joined by cities such as Houston, Galveston, Richmond, San Antonio, Dickinson and Lubbock in leading the state with most custodial deaths.
