government
Tarrant county commissioner addresses deaths of county jail inmates
By Frank Heinz at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local
· June 18, 2026
· 2 min read
Commissioner Alisa Simmons held a press conference on the Tarrant County in-custody jail deaths that took place this week.
Two 40-year-old men died this week after suffering apparent medical emergencies while being held at the Tarrant County Jail, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Offi...
Key takeaway Two 40-year-old men died this week after suffering apparent medical emergencies while being held at the Tarrant County Jail, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The recent in-custody deaths at the Tarrant County Jail raise concerns about the medical screening process for inmates. Commissioner Alisa Simmons' press conference acknowledges the issue, and the sheriff's office statement highlights the challenges of identifying and addressing medical concerns during the booking process. The fact that both men refused medical assessments when they were booked into the jail underscores the difficulty in providing care to individuals who may not want it. As the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office investigates the causes of death, the community will be watching to see what changes, if any, are made to the jail's medical screening and assessment procedures. The deaths also bring attention to the broader issue of healthcare for inmates in Tarrant County, and how the county can better support individuals with significant health issues related to substance abuse or other medical conditions.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Commissioner Alisa Simmons held a press conference on the Tarrant County in-custody jail deaths that took place this week.
Two 40-year-old men died this week after suffering apparent medical emergencies while being held at the Tarrant County Jail, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Offi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Frank Heinz at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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