Bexar County Jail Fails Surprise State Inspection

Bexar County Jail Fails to Meet State Standards

The Bexar County jail has once again failed to meet state standards after an unannounced inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The inspection, conducted on July 22, revealed that the facility did not comply with minimum requirements for out-of-cell time for inmates in administrative segregation.

According to officials, the jail was cited for failing to ensure that inmates in administrative segregation had access to dayrooms. One inmate was found to have been denied access to a dayroom for at least one hour daily, which is the minimum standard required. This individual was held in a single cell in unit CB, cell 3, from March 7 to June 7, 2025. During this 97-day period, the jail only documented 22 days of dayroom access, far below the required standard.

Further review of additional units between June 2 and June 8 uncovered similar issues. In that seven-day window, records showed that 56 other inmates across five units had received less than the required hour of dayroom access. Only 88 sessions were logged, when the minimum should have been more than triple that number.

Inspectors recommended that the jail administration develop a written plan to ensure proper out-of-cell access in the future. The non-compliance notice, issued on July 28, requires the sheriff’s office to notify the state in writing within 30 days of actions taken to correct the issue. Failure to do so could result in a remedial order, enforcement action, or further state intervention.

In a statement, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar acknowledged the state's findings and said efforts to address the violations are already underway. “We thank our TCJS inspection team for their professionalism and willingness to help us improve,” Salazar said. Inspectors also praised the cleanliness of the facility and noted that inmates were relatively compliant.

Although only one formal deficiency triggered the non-compliance status, the inspection identified other issues. The commission provided technical assistance to address these concerns. These included scratched mirrors in the Annex’s cell #C3 that were no longer usable, which inspectors requested be replaced within 30 days. There were also inoperable microphones in the same area.

During the inspection, a fire drill was conducted using artificial smoke. A purge fan failed during the drill but was repaired while inspectors were still on-site.

The Bexar County Adult Detention Center houses an average of more than 4,700 inmates across multiple buildings, with the main facility alone holding over 3,300. In early January, the jail was deemed back in compliance with state standards after previously falling out of compliance in October and November of the previous year.

This marks the latest in a series of oversight concerns at the jail, which has faced criticism over inmate deaths and policies in recent years. The situation remains under close scrutiny, with updates expected as the investigation continues.

The facility has been under increased public and regulatory attention due to ongoing issues related to inmate treatment, safety, and compliance with state regulations. As the sheriff’s office works to implement corrective measures, the community and oversight bodies will be watching closely to ensure that improvements are made and sustained.

Other issues identified during the inspection include minor maintenance problems and procedural lapses. While these may seem small, they contribute to a larger pattern of non-compliance that has raised concerns among both staff and the public.

The jail’s history of repeated violations has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability. Advocacy groups and local leaders have urged the sheriff’s office to take swift and effective action to address these issues and prevent future violations.

As the process of remediation begins, the focus will be on implementing long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. This includes revising policies, improving staff training, and enhancing oversight mechanisms to ensure that all inmates receive the care and treatment they are entitled to.

With the state’s involvement and continued monitoring, there is hope that the Bexar County jail can move toward full compliance and better conditions for those who are incarcerated. The path forward will require commitment, resources, and a willingness to make meaningful changes.