A committee formed as a result of the death of Sandra Bland in a small county jail in Texas has just been released. The report makes recommendations on inmate screening, jail procedures, inmate mental health problems, and other law enforcement related issues.
Sandra Bland is the young black woman who died in a Waller County, Texas jail. Her death and arrest made national headlines.
The report issues the following recommendations (among others):
- Inmate Screening for Mental Health and Medical Problems: Employ EMTs to triage and assess medical and mental health issues while also creating the ability for physician review and videoconferencing.
- Body Cameras: Develop a written policy for the use of video recordings, and purchase body cameras to document interactions to protect both the officer and the citizen accused.
- Language and Demeanor: Create a zero tolerance policy against the use of demeaning or derogatory language.
- Counseling and Fitness to Serve: Anger management courses and psychological evaluations should be implemented as a matter of routine to maintain acute mental fitness within the Office.
- New Jail: New jail facilities are necessary as the current facility does not address the safety and security required
- Booking Process: Invest in technology for an electronic booking process to facilitate access to information on inmates.
- Digital Reporting from the Field: Invest in technology to allow deputies to access records electronically and enter offense reports without the necessity of returning to the Office.
- Public Information Officer: A single point of contact for public information allows the Office to present information more clearly and accurately.
- Separate Jail Administration and Policing Duties: To the extent possible, jail administration and policing should be separated.