Two state correctional officers with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have been relieved of duty after two female inmates accused them of sexual assault during separate visits to Hospital Galveston, according to prison officials. The complaints, one reported in March and another describing an incident in January, triggered both internal administrative reviews and a criminal investigation. TDCJ says that, as of publication, no criminal charges have been filed.
What the agency says
According to ABC13 Houston, the most recent allegation surfaced in March, when a female inmate reported that two officers sexually assaulted her during a hospital visit. Staff at Hospital Galveston were reportedly notified the same day. Not long after, another inmate came forward to report an assault she says happened in January. Investigators told reporters that she identified one officer by name and described a second officer by his physical appearance, tying both men to the alleged incidents. The two officers have since been relieved of duty while TDCJ and the Office of Inspector General conduct parallel administrative and criminal probes.
Where the complaints were made
The accusations center on Hospital Galveston, a secure medical facility on the University of Texas Medical Branch campus that treats TDCJ inmates. As described by UTMB, the TDCJ hospital on the Galveston campus is a dedicated inpatient and outpatient unit for people in state custody. The facility includes locked housing and on-site correctional staff, a setup meant to balance clinical care with prison-level security.
Advocates raise concerns
Dr. Amite Dominick, who founded Texas Prisons Community Advocates, told ABC13 Houston that "Women who are incarcerated are oftentimes the forgotten, overlooked population within a system that throws individuals away." She and other advocates say the allegations highlight deep power imbalances behind prison walls and the many reasons incarcerated people may hesitate to report abuse, even in supposedly secure clinical settings.
Investigations and next steps
TDCJ and the Office of Inspector General have launched both administrative and criminal investigations, placing the officers on leave while they collect evidence and interview witnesses. Reporting indicates that an earlier allegation tied to the January incident also mentioned a third officer, who has been off duty for unrelated reasons. The agency has reiterated its policy that cross-gender unclothed searches are not allowed. As noted by Click2Houston, officials say they plan to release more information as the investigations move forward.
Why this matters
Advocates and prison watchdogs argue that the case underscores longstanding concerns about staffing levels, oversight, and recordkeeping in Texas prisons, all of which can make it harder to hold people accountable when abuse is alleged. The Texas Tribune has reported on chronic staffing shortages and outdated practices inside TDCJ that critics say weaken supervision and slow down investigations.
TDCJ spokesperson Amanda Hernandez told the Houston Chronicle that the department is treating the allegations seriously and will “evaluate processes and procedures” as investigators gather more information. Officials have not released the names of the officers while the inquiries are ongoing and say they intend to provide updates when appropriate.
