Waller Co. Sheriff talks about new recommendations for police & jail as result of #sandrabland death pic.twitter.com/pWxXTbOcsG
— Florian Martin (@Florian_News887) April 12, 2016
HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) — A panel reviewing the jail where Sandra Bland died last summer after being taken into custody has called for a major overhaul of its procedures and facilities.
The panel issued its recommendations Tuesday. It says a new jail is needed because the current one is inadequate. The panel also called for improving digital access to information about inmates and purchasing body cameras for staff.
One panelist, Craig Washington, said inmates are “entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Bland, who was black and from the Chicago area, died in the Waller County jail three days after her arrest. Authorities ruled it a suicide.
Dashcam video captured a confrontation between Bland and Brian Encinia, the trooper who arrested her. Encinia was later fired and has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge.
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Committee releases recommendations for Waller Co. Sheriff to improve jail standards after #sandrabland death pic.twitter.com/4IfnJsWRpU
— Florian Martin (@Florian_News887) April 12, 2016