Holding Correctional Officers Accountable

Guard-on-prisoner violence is a problem and on the rise in Texas. Nineteen Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) guards have been sentenced for excessive force since 2015. In most cases of excessive force, guards have received little to no punishment. This rise in violence has mirrored an increase in jail deaths, which rose from 545 in 2005 to 769 in 2018.

The number of times officers have used force against inmates has continued to rise despite the Texas prison population decreasing by thousands. The prison system continues to suffer from staffing shortages, high turnover, and inadequate training. TDCJ continues to lack transparency, even when its guards go to trial. Assault charges can be hard to prove due to the discretion to use force given to prison guards and the bias against prisoners that juries often have.

Prison guards have limits on what they are allowed to do to inmates. All inmates have Constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. Texas prison guards are not above the law and can be sued for violating the rights of inmates. As guard-on-prisoner violence continues to rise, these guards need to be held accountable.

If you or a loved one have been affected by the misconduct of prison guards, contact the Law Offices of Don Tittle, PLLC today at (214) 522-8400 or complete our online contact form.

The content of this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

Don Tittle

Attorney & Founder

For 35 years, Don Tittle has achieved high-profile, decisive victories in Texas courts, excelling in criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and complex wrongful death and personal injury cases. His law practice now frequently focuses (often concentrates) on cases of abuse and neglect by private jail companies, fighting for justice on behalf of vulnerable individuals.

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