TJP Recap: Texas Commission on Jail Standards First Quarter Meeting 2026
April 17, 2026
On February 5, 2026, Texas Jail Project attended the first quarterly meeting of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) in Austin. TJP stood with families demanding justice for their…
Topics: Custody Death, Jail Conditions, Medical, Mental Health, TCJS
On February 5, 2026, Texas Jail Project attended the first quarterly meeting of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) in Austin. TJP stood with families demanding justice for their loved ones who died in Texas county jails. TJP mobilized eleven public comments from staff and community members in Tarrant, Harris, Bexar, Dallas, and Williamson counties. Community members gave powerful testimony, advocating for accountability, transparency, and dignity for their families, while demanding system-wide changes to prevent future deaths.
Note: TCJS does not livestream their meetings, so Texas Jail Project always films the meeting. You can view our video of the meeting here.
Anthony Johnson Sr., whose son Anthony Johnson Jr. was killed in the Tarrant County jail in April 2024, asked the commission:
“What’s the purpose of the commission if counties can violate your rules without consequences? How many more murders will it take before you hold someone accountable? My son’s death was preventable. My son deserved treatment, not torture. My son deserved care, not abandonment. I’m demanding that this commission enforce its own laws. Investigate these violations. Stop allowing jails to operate with impunity”
Krish Gundu, Executive Director of Texas Jail Project, shared insights from TJP’s analysis of Texas jail custody deaths over the past ten years. Suicides, accidents and homicides inside the jails, which could be described as preventable deaths, total up to 487. You can see TJP’s full analysis here: Public: Analysis of Texas Jail Custody Deaths
Ten county jails were on the agenda due to notice of noncompliance and/or remedial orders in place. Some highlights from this section of the meeting include:
- Bexar County: Judge Peter Sakai repeated that he would not support a new jail in Bexar County, but rather advocated for increased mental health diversion to address the long wait for forensic beds and the fact that “Bexar County Jail is the largest provider of mental health services in the county”
- Harris County: Chief Philip Bosquez announced that the Harris County Jail would be building a new floor to serve as a hospital unit for the jail. Read more about that plan here.
- Liberty County: Reported that Liberty County has begun the process of planning for a new jail facility, which will cost the county $100M.
Change in TCJS Leadership
Brandon Wood announced his retirement as the Executive Director of TCJS after 27 years of service. Ricky Armstrong will serve as Interim Executive Director.
Public Petition for Change to Minimum Jail Standards
Director Armstrong advised that the public petitions from Dr. Audrey Nath on seizure plans, and Dr. Marc Robinson, TJP board member, on family notifications, were being considered by the Administrative Rules Advisory Committee and required no action at this time.
IDD Advisory Rules
Director Armstrong provided an update on the work of the IDD Advisory Committee, specifically, guardianship and potential minimum standards regarding guardianship. Currently, jails have no rules, minimum standards, or guidance in care for incarcerated people who have been legally appointed a Guardian or legally authorized representative (LAR) under Texas law because they were deemed unable to care for themselves.
Through its seat on the Administrative Rules Advisory Committee, Texas Jail Project drafted guardianship rules to protect this vulnerable population and mitigate the harms of incarceration. The TCJS board was supposed to approve the rules at this meeting, to then be posted on the Texas State registrar’s site for public comment, but this item was pushed to the May 7th TCJS meeting because of a technicality.