KPRC2: Family part of push for OAG to force compliance after another detainee dies in HCSO custody

The family of a man who died in the custody of the Harris County Jail last month, is teaming up with others to raise their concerns about standards within Texas’ largest jail to the Office of the Attorney General.

This after they say they’ve gotten no explanation on how the 39-year-old died.

The detainee’s mother says it’s simple. Even in jail, you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty and receive adequate care while in custody, but instead of a fair trial, she says her son is going from custody to casket.

While the case remains pending, Citterece McGregor now joins Jacilet Griffin on a growing list of family members with questions about how their loved ones died in Harris County Jail custody.

”My son, Evan, died March 22, in 22. 1,057 days and we still have no closure, no answers, zero transparency,” Griffin said. “Therefore, I’ve been advocating. I visited the Texas Jail Commission meeting this past Thursday, February the 6th, just continuing to share what I am going through,” Griffin said.

At that meeting, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards called for the OAG to force compliance hoping to prevent future in custody deaths. Members of the Texas Jail Project say the state’s largest jail, has surpassed the mandated staff to detainee ratio of 1-48. They believe non-compliance correlates with jail deaths.