FORMER INMATE AT WALLER CO. JAIL SAYS MEDICAL CARE WITHHELD

Noelle Buffam September 6, 2016

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The family of a former inmate at the Waller County Jail has filed a complaint with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, claiming he developed life-threatening infections during his time there.

epa04855562 A general view of the Waller County Jail is seen in Hempstead, Texas, USA, 21 July 2015. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Sandra Bland on 13 July 2015 in a jail cell in Hempstead. Bland was arrested following a traffic stop for assaulting a public servant. EPA/AARON M. SPRECHER

Quincy Davis, 39, of Brookshire, became incontinent and lost the ability to walk while he was in the jail for over 800 days waiting for his trial. His mother, Clara Davis, filed the complaint and is considering filing a federal civil rights lawsuit over her son’s treatment in the jail. The Waller County Jail came under scrutiny in July of 2015, after Sandra Bland died while being held there.

Davis has a long criminal history and was awaiting trial for charges of drug possession and assaulting police officers.

Davis says he had to drag himself across his cell to reach the toilet and water, which lead to open wounds on his legs. He then went on to develop a staph infection, and endocarditis- an infection in the heart’s lining.

Davis was found unresponsive in his cell in July. Authorities then took him to the hospital via an ambulance.

Waller County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy, Brian Cantrell, says the jail has a doctor on call every day and a nurse on-site most days. He went on to say that they do their best to take care of inmates and that it is their “top priority”.

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