Dallas Sheriff violates rights of incarcerated individuals per Dallas criminal defense lawyers. Deputy sheriff’s are opening attorney letters to jailed clients. The information is legally privileged and jailers are not following procedure.
Elizabeth Lutton says deputies open all letters looking for contraband. They do so as a security measure.
Per other published reports, Lutton says “that’s only done in the presence of the inmate.” She states inspection is “limited to locating contraband or illegal items.”
Defense attorneys dispute this account though. Clients have reported their letters opened outside their presence. Lawyers contend some of these involve legal strategy and client’s guilt or innocence.
The Dallas sheriff’s office did not return a call asking for comment on how long the practice has taken place.
Dallas Sheriff Violates Rights – Again
Marian Brown’s tenure as sheriff could not be worse.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards says Dallas jails fail again after its mid February visit said the localjail “fails to comply with minimum standards.”
It is the second consecutive year under Sheriff Marian Brown’s management that the jail failed its annual inspection.
Under Brown’s leadership, Dallas jails fail again and again not only the inmates they are provided custody over, but also their own employees, including Damon Finney. There is also an open investigation into how $600,000 was stolen from inmate accounts.
Her management has also led to low morale among remaining deputy sheriffs who say the low staffing levels inhibit their ability to monitor inmates according to state standards.
The Findings Of Why Dallas Jails Fail Again
Here are some of the inspection’s findings:
Genetaror tests not being performed to ensure backup in case of disaster conditions.
Inmates using K2 – a synthetic marijuana – that created fumes throughout the area.
Inspectors found forty doors that were inoperable either due to inmate destruction or lack of maintenance.
Laundry staff not exchanging clothing and washable items.
Suicidal inmates “were being incorrectly documented.”
Sheriff Brown and her staff must develop remediation plans to return to compliance and provide them to the jail inspectors.
Marian Brown and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office refused request for comment.
The report creates another avenue for Lauren Davis in her November match up against Clay Jenkins and his mismanagement of Dallas County.
The letter from the commission to Judge Jenkins and Sheriff Brown is here:
Damon Finney, a former Dallas jailer, was not protected by Sheriff Marian Brown when it came to exposure to COVID19 in Dallas jails. His widow wants to know why she is being denied a state death benefit for first responders.
Finney died August 14, 2021 after he was one of many county correctional deputies on mandatory sixteen hour overtime shifts at the height of the COVID19 pandemic.
Per a report in Dallas Observer, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office General Orders state that “any Dallas Sheriff’s Department employee…. Killed in the Line of Duty, will receive Full Honors Service,” which includes casket guards from the department, a detail of federal and state law enforcement officials standing guard, plus a spread of other ceremonial personnel honoring the fallen officer. None of this ever happened for Finney.
On June 14, 2021 the Texas Legislature passed a bill stating correctional officers were among the first responders included in Line of Duty death benefits for coronavirus. Family member benefits are included in the state legislative action.
Damon Finney Not Only Problem For Sheriff Brown
Marian Brown’s administration is accused of threatening her deputies.
Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown is rumored to be using her Jail Internal Affairs team to launch investigations into employees who would not work sixteen hour shifts. These assignments sometimes lasted for up to five consecutive days.
These threats against her own staff are only the start of Brown’s troubles.
In addition, Brown’s office is being sued by both jailers and inmates in a federal lawsuit over her administration of the jail during COVID19.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, the lawsuit accuses Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown of neglecting to protect detainees from the virus, placing them at serious risk of infection or death.
Her office is also in the middle of an investigation into the loss of $600,000 in inmate commissary funds.
Brown is expected to face a primary opponent in 2024 when she is up for re-election.
Damon Finney Life
On October 6, 1970, Damon Keith Finney was born in Pontiac, Michigan to the proud parents of William and Mrs. L.T. Finney. He attended Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church where he accepted Christ at an early age.
He obtained his early years of education in the Pontiac School District. In 1988 he graduated and received his diploma from Pontiac Northern High School and furthered his education at Oakland Community College for an additional 2 years. Damon lived most of his life in Pontiac until he relocated to the Dallas Ft. Worth area in the mid 1990s.
After eleven years of love and friendship he married the love of his life, Tiffany Toussaint on July 9, 2021. Together they made Arlington, Texas their home until his passing.
Damon Finney gained several years of experience in the security industry which inspired his interest in the Correctional Department. In 2006 he began his employment for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department where he diligently served 15 years of service as a Detention Service Officer and made and influenced many lifelong friendships.
He often referred to his coworkers as his second family whom he fearlessly helped and assisted throughout his career.
Per an obituary Finney was a witty, fun loving, caring and compassionate individual with a big heart. He was a wonderful husband, father figure, brother-in-law, brother, and uncle. He was also a wonderful, father to our adopted companion “Spring”.
The obituary continues, Damon was a selfless person who put other’s needs before own and always provided an ear to those seeking advice. He enjoyed working out at the gym and loved traveling whether it was to the beach or his favorite place Las Vegas.
Ken Kalthoff of NBC5 reported that Marian Brown’s office, the Dallas County Sheriff Lost $600000 in inmate commissary funds.
The FBI is currently investigating whether or not the funds were stolen or if this is an accounting error.
Dallas County Commissioners were alerted to a problem at this week’s County Commissioner’s meeting. A Sheriff’s Department employee discovered problems dating over six years, spanning both Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Sheriff Brown’s administrations.
The County Auditor found more than three hundred inmate debit cards totaling $699,993 were issued in excess of the inmates’ trust fund balances. The county program vendor for the program returned $97,390.79 with a check earlier this summer.
Sheriff Lost $600000 – More In Credibility
Commissioner John Wiley Price said other problems occurred prior to the current sheriff. Price has previously been accused of crimes by the FBI and had a federal trial of his own.
It is unclear if County Commissioners will hire Erin Nealy Cox to uncover issues when she completes her investigation of the City of Dallas IT loss.
