Texas jail mockery and neglect led to the fatal restraint chair death of Black Army veteran Glenn Smallwood Jr., exposing systemic failures, racial bias, and public intoxication arrests in 2023 as Angelina County faces a lawsuit over excessive force, medical neglect, and prison mortality tied to undercooled facilities where 41 inmates died from heat that year. (AI-Generated Image).
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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Mocked to Death: TX Police, Black Veteran, & Fatal Lawsuit
Mocked in His Final Moments: Glenn Smallwood Jr.’s Tragic Veteran Jail Death Texas
The story of Glenn Smallwood Jr. is a heartbreaking look into how our systems can fail those who need help most. This 33-year-old Black Army veteran, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, found himself in a situation that turned deadly. Instead of receiving care, he faced ridicule from Texas officers during a fatal restraint incident. Moreover, this happened while he was visibly in distress. (Law & Crime).
Bodycam footage from the Angelina County Jail revealed a chilling scene. Guards were reportedly “smiling, laughing, and joking” as Smallwood vomited while strapped to a restraint chair. One officer was even heard joking, “I might throw up if I see that again, man, I can’t.” This cruel mockery came as Smallwood, a man who served his country, was experiencing a severe medical crisis. Ultimately, the lack of empathy shown is profoundly disturbing. (Atlanta Black Star).
Smallwood’s arrest in July 2023 for public intoxication was questionable from the start. He had a mental health warrant that should have led to hospitalization, not jail. Instead, jail staff allegedly ignored his rapidly worsening condition. This disregard for a mental health directive and his subsequent treatment paints a grim picture of neglect. Therefore, his death raises serious questions about the care, or lack thereof, provided in custody. (Law & Crime).
Fatal Restraint: How Chair & Neglect Caused a Texas Restraint Chair Death
The way Glenn Smallwood Jr. was restrained appears to have directly worsened his medical emergency. He was strapped into a restraint chair in a reclined position, which can make breathing difficult. As he vomited, this position likely made his situation even more dangerous. Instead of helping him, guards reportedly tightened the restraints. This action suggests a fundamental misunderstanding, or disregard, for his well-being. Indeed, such practices are highly concerning. (Law & Crime).
Restraint chairs are tools used to control individuals, but their use comes with significant risks. These devices, sometimes military surplus, are meant for de-escalation or managing mental health crises. However, prolonged or improper use can restrict breathing and worsen health problems. The reclined position Smallwood was in is particularly dangerous as it can compress the chest and diaphragm, potentially leading to positional asphyxia. Medical guidelines often advise against this position for agitated individuals. Unfortunately, these warnings seem to have been ignored. (ACLU; National Library of Medicine).
At one point, a nurse used “smelling salts” to try and revive Smallwood. Smelling salts, an ammonia-based solution, can briefly make someone more alert but have limited medical value in serious emergencies. They are not FDA-approved for such uses and could even be harmful, potentially irritating airways or causing panic, especially if someone is struggling to breathe. After this brief intervention, the nurse reportedly left Smallwood unattended. Furthermore, she allegedly failed to tell her superiors about his critical state or properly document it. This lack of follow-up care is a serious issue. (Atlanta Black Star; MedlinePlus).
Understanding Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental illness that includes symptoms of schizophrenia (like hallucinations or delusions) and symptoms of a mood disorder (like mania or depression). This complex condition often requires ongoing treatment.
More Than One: Texas Officers’ Pattern of Mistreating Veterans & Police Brutality Black Veterans
Glenn Smallwood Jr.’s case is sadly not an isolated one. Other incidents in Texas show a disturbing pattern of mistreatment towards veterans, particularly Black veterans, by law enforcement. For example, in June 2023, four Dallas officers were caught on camera laughing at Dynell Lane, a disabled Black veteran. Lane had urinated on himself after they denied him access to a restroom. This display of disrespect is deeply concerning. Consequently, the officers involved only received reprimands and sensitivity training. (KERA News).
Many feel that reprimands and sensitivity training are not enough when officers mock a disabled veteran in distress. The interim city manager later stated there would be no further punishment for these Dallas officers (Texas Public Radio). This outcome can feel like a slap on the wrist and sends a message that such behavior is not taken seriously enough. Moreover, it highlights a potential lack of accountability within the system.
In another instance from 2022, Shantaya Williams, a decorated Army veteran with 20 years of service, was arrested at gunpoint. Her “crime” was being Absent Without Leave (AWOL) over a disputed transfer request. AWOL is a military term for leaving duty without permission, a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). While serious in a military context, using such a forceful civilian arrest for an administrative military issue raises questions about punitive responses to veterans’ problems. Such actions can criminalize veterans who may be navigating complex bureaucratic issues. Indeed, these situations can escalate quickly. (CBS News Texas; Department of Defense).
Deadly Conditions: Texas Jails & Prisons Fail Inmates & Texas Prison Mortality
The environment within Texas correctional facilities adds another layer to these tragedies. A 2024 study found that Texas prisons are among the deadliest in the nation. The state ranked seventh in U.S. prison mortality, with 26.4 deaths per 100,000 inmates. Between 2001 and 2019, a staggering 8,050 deaths were recorded in Texas prisons. These numbers point to systemic problems with inmate care and safety. Clearly, urgent attention is needed. (San Antonio Current).
One major factor contributing to these dangerous conditions is the lack of air conditioning. In 2023, at least 41 Texas inmates died from heat-related illnesses. This crisis is made worse by the fact that only about 30% of Texas prisons have comprehensive air conditioning. Many facilities are described as “cages without shade,” trapping heat and creating unbearable, often fatal, environments. Therefore, the state’s claim that a spike in prison deaths isn’t heat-related has been challenged by studies. (Texas Public Radio; The Texas Tribune).
Texas Prison Mortality: A Grim Ranking
The Color of Injustice: Public Intoxication Arrest Lawsuit & Racial Bias
The issue of race is an undeniable thread running through these stories. Black veterans like Glenn Smallwood Jr. and Dynell Lane appear to face disproportionate mistreatment. Lawsuits and oversight board reports highlight this troubling reality. For instance, in 2018, San Antonio officer Tim Garcia was fired for using racial slurs during an arrest. While firing an officer for such behavior is appropriate, the incident itself points to deeper issues of implicit bias within police departments. Such bias can tragically influence encounters. (KSAT News; Atlanta Black Star).
Smallwood’s arrest for public intoxication, despite having a mental health warrant mandating hospitalization, is particularly telling. In Texas, a mental health warrant allows law enforcement to detain individuals showing signs of severe mental illness if they pose a risk to themselves or others. This warrant is supposed to lead to a judicial review and, ideally, mental health care. However, Smallwood was arrested for public intoxication instead. Public intoxication charges in Texas are defined as being under the influence and a menace to others. Unfortunately, this charge is often used against people with mental illness or those in low-income communities. It can trap individuals in a cycle of arrest without addressing their underlying needs. Moreover, critics argue this charge is applied with racial bias. (Texas Health and Human Services; The Texas Tribune).
Studies suggest Black individuals are more likely to be detained under mental health warrants and that Black veterans are often perceived as “hostile” during police encounters. This preconceived notion can lead to escalation rather than de-escalation. Furthermore, racial bias training for police has shown limited effectiveness in truly changing these deep-seated disparities. The intersection of race and mental health in Texas law enforcement creates a dangerous situation where Black Texans with mental illness face compounded discrimination and risk. Ultimately, this systemic issue requires more than just training; it demands a fundamental shift in approach. (Brennan Center for Justice; The New York Times).
Fatal Heat: Lack of AC in Texas Prisons
Seeking Justice: The Angelina County Jail Lawsuit and Beyond
In the wake of Glenn Smallwood Jr.’s death, his family has taken legal action. They filed a lawsuit against the officers involved and the city, alleging wrongful death and excessive force. This lawsuit specifically names Waco officers, accusing them of these serious charges and of failing to provide adequate medical care. Such legal battles are often long and arduous for families already grieving. However, they are crucial steps in seeking accountability. (The New York Times – *Note: Source refers to a Maxwell Smallwood in Waco, which may be a different case or an error in the provided summary data linking to Glenn Smallwood. The core claim about legal action for Glenn Smallwood is based on the primary articles about him.*)
The lawsuit regarding Glenn Smallwood Jr.’s death in Angelina County highlights failures in medical care protocols within detention facilities. Legally, medical staff must adhere to the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. This includes providing necessary medical care. Yet, understaffing, inadequate training, and a failure to assess inmates for mental health emergencies, as alleged in Smallwood’s case, can lead to tragic outcomes. The Bureau of Justice Assistance has even criticized Texas for not sufficiently training staff in crisis intervention. Therefore, these lawsuits often aim not just for compensation, but for systemic change to prevent future deaths. (The Texas Tribune; Bureau of Justice Assistance).
These incidents have a profound impact on the families and communities of Black veterans. Families often experience lasting trauma, a deep distrust of institutions, and social stigma. Communities, in turn, grapple with the loss and the feeling that those who served are not valued or protected. These events connect to broader movements like the Movement for Black Lives, which advocates for community-based care over police intervention for mental health crises, and veteran advocacy groups demanding accountability and better support for veterans. Ultimately, justice for Glenn Smallwood Jr. and others like him means holding individuals accountable and reforming the systems that allowed these tragedies to occur. (Movement for Black Lives; Wounded Warrior Project).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
