Inmate Jacqueline Barocio, 25, Died In Custody At Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center In Olmito
OLMITO, TEXAS (October 29, 2023) - A female inmate identified as Jacqueline Barocio has tragically died in-custody at the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center in Cameron County.
Cameron County officials are saying that the incident took place on Saturday morning. Correctional officers noticed that Jacqueline Barocio was unresponsive in her jail cell.
Few other details have been released to the public. Family members said that she was suffering from pain stemming from her wisdom tooth.
The wisdom tooth may have been infected, but jail guards refused to get her medical attention. Her family is still searching for answers about what happened.
Jacqueline Barocio is survived by a 1-year-old and 6-year-old child. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Cameron County Jail Deaths
Thousands of inmates die in-custody each year. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, “The number of deaths from chronic illness — including a growing number of deaths from cancer in prison, at a time when overall deaths from cancer are going down — is a testament to the extremely poor healthcare incarcerated people receive.” There are many steps that jails should take in order to keep inmates safe.
- Jails should understand the health needs of each inmate that they care for.
- Jails should give every inmate a thorough health screening.
- Jails should transport inmates to the hospital when they need specialized care.
- Jail officials should listen to the advice of doctors and nurses that advise them.
Every inmate has a constitutional right to receive reasonably adequate healthcare. This includes care for chronic health conditions. It also includes care for the acute health needs that an inmate may develop. Sadly, though, it is common for jails to prevent inmate’s from seeing doctors when they are in need of additional care. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Deliberate indifference could take many different forms.
- A jail may have failed to help an inmate going through withdrawal.
- A jail may have failed to help an inmate in the midst of a drug overdose.
- A jail may have failed to help an inmate with dental problems.
- A jail may have failed to give an inmate the medication that they required.
Before the advent of modern medicine, dental issues were the leading cause of human death. Unless a skilled dentist is checking someone’s mouth, the severity of the issue is not always apparent. When dental abscesses are left untreated, the result can often be fatal. It is important for inmates and their families to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in-custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Cameron County Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jacqueline Barocio. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about an inmate death at the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are held accountable for their neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of help we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.