Inmate Edgar Robles Died In Suspected Homicide at Texas Department of Criminal Justice Memorial Unit In Rosharon
ROSHARON, TEXAS (October 18, 2023) - An inmate identified as Edgar Robles has tragically died after an attack at Texas Department of Criminal Justice Memorial Unit in Rosharon.
Brazoria County officials are saying that the incident began on Monday. Edgar Robles was involved in some type of altercation with another inmate.
Officials did not say when the fight happened or how it started. Jail and medical staff began life-saving measures in order to help the victim.
Edgar Robles was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. This death comes more than a week after a sharp rise in inmate homicides in Texas prisons.
The rise was so high that state officials initiated a temporary statewide lockdown. So far in 2023, there have been 16 inmate-on-inmate homicides at TDCJ facilities.
Liability For Rosharon Inmate Homicides
Thousands of inmates are either killed or seriously injured in attacks each year. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, “The number of homicides in state prisons reached a record high of 120 deaths in 2018, a reminder that while prisons are secure, they are largely unsafe. Violence in prison is commonplace, tied to trauma prior to incarceration as well as mental health stressors inside. The rate of homicide in state prison is 2.5 times greater than in the U.S. population when adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity.” There are many steps that jails should take in order to prevent inmate homicides.
- Jails can maintain a visible staff presence as one means of deterring violence.
- Jails should provide inmates with mental health services. These services can address underlying issues and help prevent outbursts of violence.
- Jails should do their best to separate rival gang members.
- Jails should do their best to prevent weapons from entering the complex.
Depending on the facts of any case, a jail could face civil liability if an inmate in their care is killed by another inmate. Jails have a legal obligation to protect inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes attacks by other inmates. If a jail has specific knowledge of particular threats and fails to take action to protect an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Victims of inmate assaults tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Stab wounds
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Death
Jails should adopt a holistic approach to reduce inmate homicides. This begins by treating inmates well. But in far too many situations, jails neglect and even abuse the inmates in their care. It is important that inmates and their families understand their legal rights. The family of any person that died in an inmate homicide may have legal recourse through a constitutional claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Inmate Deaths At The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Memorial Unit In Rosharon
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Edgar Robles. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. The number of inmate homicides across Texas in 2023 remains deeply troubling. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to curb the violence.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed while staying at Texas Department of Criminal Justice Memorial Unit In Rosharon? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. You may have legal recourse through a constitutional claim. Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.