TEXARKANA, Texas -- Two correctional officers were fired in April, following the escape of two inmates from the Bowie County jail, for documenting face-to-face checks that did not actually occur, according to Sheriff Jeff Neal.
Neal said he hopes the jail will soon be found in compliance with state law by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The Bowie County jail was deemed non-compliant following a special inspection triggered by the March 21 escape of Wayde Land, 37, and Michael D. Olson, 30, from the second floor of the jail annex behind the Bi-State Justice Building in downtown Texarkana.
Inspectors with TCJS found that while rounds were being conducted as required by state law, face-to-face observations did not occur for more than nine hours. Video surveillance showed the men escaped at approximately 1 a.m. but were not identified as missing until approximately 10:30 a.m. that day, despite documentation reflecting they were in their cells after the jailbreak.
Land and Olson knocked out cinder block, climbed into pipe chase and broke a hole through concrete on the back wall to exit the jail on the second floor. Once outside, the men were able to maneuver through the perimeter fencing and concertina wire before fleeing the facility, according to earlier reports.
Two Texarkana Arkansas Police Department officers observed the men in the area of 210 East St. at approximately 1 p.m. the afternoon of the escape. Land was taken into custody without fanfare but Olson struggled and was shot after gaining control of one officer's service weapon, according to an earlier press release from TAPD.
Olson died at the scene.
Arkansas State Police investigated the shooting and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office serving Miller County issued a finding that it was justified.
Neal said his office terminated the two employees who documented that Land and Olson were in their cells when the inmates were actually free and loose in Texarkana.
"An extra layer of physical security was added to the facility's vulnerability exposed by this escape. Changes to procedures were made to improve the frequency at which the physical security of these cells are checked. A plan of action has been submitted to TCJS, and we are hopeful that we will be placed back in compliance soon," Neal said.
Deaths, escapes or other unusual happenings in a Texas jail prompt special inspections like the one that landed Bowie County on the TCJS list of non-compliant jails recently. After a failed annual or special inspection, a follow-up inspection is performed. Texas jails are inspected by TCJS annually, and the visits are unannounced.
Neal said staffing shortages continue to be at issue in the jail, though a recent bump in pay authorized by Bowie County commissioners has made a difference in the Sheriff's Office.
"The Bowie County Sheriff's Office, like most law enforcement agencies, continues to struggle with hiring jailers and deputies. A 12% pay raise given to Bowie County deputies by the Bowie County Commissioners' Court has helped fill deputy positions. This raise was effective April 1, 2022. Since that time, we have hired three new deputies and interest has increased tremendously," Neal said.
Pay for jail staff was not increased.
"Our jailers did not receive the pay raise. It is much more difficult to maintain the mandated staffing minimums in the jail. We currently have a greater deficit of jailers than deputies," Neal said. "I am hopeful that the jailers will receive a similar pay raise in the near future that will have the same result of reducing the staff shortages we are facing now."