4 Texas prison guards fired, major resigns after allegedly planting evidence in inmate’s cell

4 Texas prison guards fired, major resigns after allegedly planting evidence in inmate’s cell

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Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Image 1 of 24 A major resigned and four officers were fired amid allegations they orchestrated planting a screwdriver in a prisoner's cell in an apparent effort to meet a disciplinary quota. MORE PHOTOS: Odd rules that all Texas prisoners must live by

less A major resigned and four officers were fired amid allegations they orchestrated planting a screwdriver in a prisoner's cell in an apparent effort to meet a disciplinary quota. MORE PHOTOS: Odd rules that all ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 2 of 24 PHOTOS: Odd rules that all Texas prisoners must live by

A long-standing rule disallowing Texas prisoners from growing beards is being amended to allow prisoners to file a religious exemption in order to grow facial hair.

See more rules that all Texas jail inmates must abide by ... less PHOTOS: Odd rules that all Texas prisoners must live by

A long-standing rule disallowing Texas prisoners from growing beards is being amended to allow prisoners to file a religious exemption in order to grow ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 24 Don't ask for more food. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will not try to have more food placed on their tray by offenders working on the serving line. The offender workers have been told by officials how much food to serve." less Don't ask for more food. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will not try to have more food placed on their tray by offenders working on the serving line. The offender workers have been ... more Photo: John Moore, Getty Image 4 of 24 Eat fast. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall be given 20 minutes to eat, from the time they enter the dining room until they depart. Offenders who are loitering, visiting, or engaging in other similar activities and not eating will be told to leave the dining hall." less Eat fast. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall be given 20 minutes to eat, from the time they enter the dining room until they depart. Offenders who are loitering, visiting, or ... more Photo: Eric BOUVET/GAMMA, Getty Image 5 of 24 Image 6 of 24 Cut your hair, men. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Male offenders must keep their hair trimmed up the back of their neck and head. Hair must be neatly cut. Hair must be cut around the ears. Sideburns will not extend below the middle of the ears. No block style, afro, or shag haircuts will be permitted. No fad or extreme hairstyles/haircuts are allowed. No mohawks, tails, or designs cut into the hair are allowed." less Cut your hair, men. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Male offenders must keep their hair trimmed up the back of their neck and head. Hair must be neatly cut. Hair must be cut around the ears. ... more Photo: AP Image 7 of 24 Cut your hair, women. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Female offenders will not have extreme hairstyles. No mohawk, "tailed" haircuts or shaved/partially-shaved heads will be allowed. Female offenders may wear braids in accordance with unit policy. Female offenders may go to the beauty shop on their unit; however, going to the beauty shop is a privilege. Female offenders may be restricted from going to the beauty shop as the result of disciplinary action." less Cut your hair, women. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Female offenders will not have extreme hairstyles. No mohawk, "tailed" haircuts or shaved/partially-shaved heads will be allowed. Female ... more Image 8 of 24 Settle your own TV differences. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall choose television programs by majority vote of the offenders watching television or through established unit procedure." less Settle your own TV differences. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall choose television programs by majority vote of the offenders watching television or through established unit ... more Photo: Ben Leuner/AMC, © AMC Networks Entertainment LLC. And Sony Pictures Television Inc. All RIghts Reserved. Image 9 of 24 Pee where you're told. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not urinate anywhere other than in toilets provided on the recreation yard or toilets in the building." Pee where you're told. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not urinate anywhere other than in toilets provided on the recreation yard or toilets in the building." Photo: PRWeb Image 10 of 24 Image 11 of 24 Respect authority. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "When talking to an employee or official, offenders shall stand with arms by their side and call them Mr., Ms., or Officer (Last Name) or use their title. Offenders can identify the officer by the last name on his nameplate that is worn as part of the uniform. Offenders will show respect when talking with employees, officials, visitors and other offenders. Offenders will answer 'yes, sir'; 'no, sir'; 'yes, ma'am'; or 'no, ma'am." less Respect authority. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "When talking to an employee or official, offenders shall stand with arms by their side and call them Mr., Ms., or Officer (Last Name) or use ... more Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press Image 12 of 24 Walk single file. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall walk single file next to the wall." Walk single file. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall walk single file next to the wall." Photo: Gail Fisher, Getty Image 13 of 24 No art for profit. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "The sale of any artwork from the basic in-cell art program is prohibited." No art for profit. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "The sale of any artwork from the basic in-cell art program is prohibited." Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance Image 14 of 24 You may bring your comb to work. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders are allowed to carry the following items to their job assignment: a. 1 authorized comb or brush; b. 1 handkerchief (may not extend out of the pocket); and c. Personal Identification card. All other items are prohibited in the workplace." less You may bring your comb to work. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders are allowed to carry the following items to their job assignment: a. 1 authorized comb or brush; b. 1 handkerchief ... more Image 15 of 24 Image 16 of 24 All bets are off. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not have playing cards, dice or any other item that can be used for gambling." All bets are off. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not have playing cards, dice or any other item that can be used for gambling." Photo: Lucas Schifres, Getty Images Image 17 of 24 Off with the shades. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not wear sunglasses indoors unless medically prescribed." Off with the shades. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not wear sunglasses indoors unless medically prescribed." Photo: Warby Parker Image 18 of 24 No bad breath. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will brush their teeth daily." No bad breath. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will brush their teeth daily." Photo: UniversalImagesGroup, Getty Image 19 of 24 No contacting your victims. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Unauthorized contact with a victim or a member of a victim’s family by an offender is prohibited." No contacting your victims. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Unauthorized contact with a victim or a member of a victim’s family by an offender is prohibited." Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News Image 20 of 24 Image 21 of 24 One box. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "All property must fit in a box provided that is approximately 1.75 cubic feet but shall not exceed 2.0 cubic feet. Some exceptions such as radio, typewriter, and fan can be stored outside the box." less One box. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "All property must fit in a box provided that is approximately 1.75 cubic feet but shall not exceed 2.0 cubic feet. Some exceptions such as radio, ... more Image 22 of 24 No sleeping on the floor. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not be allowed to sleep on the floor." No sleeping on the floor. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not be allowed to sleep on the floor." Photo: Stephan Gladieu, Getty Images Image 23 of 24 Trim those nails. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders' fingernails will be neatly trimmed. Fingernails will not exceed more than one-eighth of an inch past the tip of the fingers. Fingernails will not be filed to a point, but will be rounded." less Trim those nails. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders' fingernails will be neatly trimmed. Fingernails will not exceed more than one-eighth of an inch past the tip of the fingers. ... more Photo: Gary Gershoff, Getty Image 24 of 24 4 Texas prison guards fired, major resigns after allegedly planting evidence in inmate’s cell 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A Texas prison major has resigned amid an investigation into allegations he orchestrated the planting of two screwdrivers in an inmate's cell apparently as part of a disciplinary quota system at the Ramsey Unit.

Four other officers at the Brazoria County lock-up were fired in connection with the investigation into the planted evidence, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jeremy Desel.

"This appears to be an isolated incident that started with that major," Desel said. "All parties involved including that major did not show integrity and did not uphold what is one of this agency's core values."

Jennifer Erschabek of Texas Inmate Families Association said the departures offer prisoners' families confirmation of what they already suspected.

"We've been claiming in the past that family members are being set up with these cases, but it's been so hard to prove — and we finally have the proof," she said. "I am just so thankful that our voices finally are being heard. We look forward to working with TDCJ to make sure this doesn't happen in the future."

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The quota for writing inmate disciplinary reports came to light in mid-May after the Houston Chronicle obtained copies of an email from Capt. Reginald Gilbert ordering officers to write up prisoners or face disciplinary consequences themselves.

"Effective March 10, 2018, each Sergeant will be required to turn in at least two (2) cases written by officers for a Level 2 Code 35 'Unauthorized Storage of Property,'" he wrote. "Two each day is my requirement. Remember this is to be done each workday without exception."

Any sergeants who missed their daily quota, Gilbert wrote, would face consequences ranging from documenting the oversight on an employee performance log to formal disciplinary action.

A couple hours later, Major Juan Jackson responded, noting that the "below instructions will help greatly in fighting a gig," which former union president Lance Lowry said is slang for an audit.

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Weeks later, prison officials abandoned the quota system, but TDCJ started investigating last month after the Chronicle reported on the short-lived scheme. Officials said they would review all disciplinary cases across the system and look for spikes or abnormalities.

The audit found similar short-lived disciplinary quota systems had once been in place at three other units in recent months, Desel said. "Several" officers were demoted as a result of the probe.

Then on May 25, a prisoner's mother fired off a letter to TDCJ's Office of the Inspector General, alleging that her son had been set up with a bogus case by guards at the Ramsey Unit, apparently in connection with the disciplinary quota.

OIG started investigating and determined she was likely correct, Desel said.

Jackson, who'd already been knocked down from major to lieutenant and sent to the hospital unit in Galveston, was walked off the unit Thursday and resigned under investigation. On Friday, Lt. James Thomas, Sgt. Marcos Gallegos and Officer George Wolfe were all recommended for dismissal, and on Monday Sgt. Darryll Winston was recommended for dismissal as well.

Gilbert, who wrote the original email, was later demoted, Desel said.

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There is still an ongoing OIG investigation into the matter as well as in internal TDCJ investigation, which will take a broader look at the Ramsey Unit and the prison culture there. Officials will also examine "any and all" disciplinary actions for the last three months involving any of the five employees believed to be involved in the evidence-planting scheme.

"Cases are going to be presented to the special prosecutor's office," Desel said. "If there is a determination that there's violation of the law it's our intent to see prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for those involved."

State Rep. James White, the Woodville Republican who chairs the House Corrections Committee, thanked investigators for their work on the case.

"These weren't just front-line officers," he said. "These were management folks. We're very grateful for the work of the OIG and their work in making sure that these staff members will face justice."