The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has announced the outcomes of its investigation into an incident where an inmate was accidentally left in a holding cell at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center for hours earlier this year.
The incident happened back in May. John Henry Jones was scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on May 21 for hearings connected to theft and burglary cases that have been pending since late last year.
OUR FIRST REPORT: ‘It’s not a good look’: Cleaning crew finds inmate left in Harris County courthouse for hours after hearing
Jones was left in a holding cell for hours. A cleaning crew found him in a holding cell on the 14th floor at 9:45 p.m., hours after the courthouse had closed.
Both deputies who were responsible for transporting Jones were reprimanded and required to retake mandated courtroom procedures classes.
HCSO also implemented new procedures to ensure holding cells are checked consistently. The new procedures include:
- Division-wide mandatory refresher training
- Implementation of an end-of-day check on inmates
- Audit of inmates scanned in and out of Court to ensure all inmates who checked in to court, have been scanned out of court and back into their housing locations
- Physical Daily End of Shift Holding Cell Checks
Holding cells, which have access to drinking water and a toilet, are connected to the courtrooms for inmates who are transported to the courthouse for hearings.
Back in May, the two deputies were temporarily reassigned in the immediate aftermath of the incident.