Inmate’s Death Sparks More Debate

GREGG COUNTY — Amy Cowling, 33, died in the Gregg County jail of reported withdrawal symptoms from Methadone and Xanax, at the end of 2010. The incident forced the arrest of two jailers, the firing of three more, and the resignation of another. The Gregg County jail had a high jailer turnover rate of more than 40% of the 167 employees from that year.

According to the Texas Tribune: Starting in 2012, jails may be required to tell the state about their turnover rate every month. Cowling’s 2010 death led to the formation of a bill by Sen. Rodney Ellis (D – Houston), which would require the Commission on Jail Standards to monitor jail turnover rates, inmate deaths, escapes and inspection failures to figure out whether a jail is “at risk”.