Residents press court on jail deaths, transparency and variance requests
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Summary
Multiple public commenters pressed the Commissioner's Court on jail deaths in the Tarrant County Jail, alleged delays in prosecutions and a cited variance request to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Speakers called for transparency, questioned staff decisions, and demanded faster action on outstanding investigations and policy changes.
A string of public comments at the Nov. 11 meeting focused on deaths in Tarrant County custody, requests for transparency and concerns about procedural decisions at the county and state level.
Doctor Harrell opened the exchange alleging the Tarrant Juvenile Board sent a letter to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department stating nearly a third of youth were waiting to be transferred, and said the state's response noted sending children to adult prisons is illegal. She said the county's actions showed either ignorance or "depraved indifference" and criticized the cancellation of certain youth‑advocacy contracts.
Bishop Kirkland and others repeatedly raised the death in custody of Marine Anthony Johnson Jr. (April 21, 2024), questioned the pace of criminal proceedings and called for more support for families. Alexander Montalvo highlighted a variance requested from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in August that would allow population spikes to be managed and said the county had sought temporary staffing and a variance concurrently. He urged the court to require greater sheriff department accountability and transparency.
Speakers called for settlement consideration for the Johnson family, improved oversight of jail conditions and clearer public notice when the county seeks variances from state minimum standards. The court did not take immediate action on these requests during open session.