HOUSTON — Running the county jail is perhaps the most recognizable responsibility of any Harris County sheriff.
And it's a job that comes with its share of criticism—like from community activist Quanell X, who believes Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia has done a very poor job with those duties.
"The jail is a place of internationally well-known abuses," Quanell X said. "The world is looking at the Harris County Jail for its mistreatment of mental health patients."
In 2013, mental health inmate Terry Goodwin was locked in a cell for weeks that was covered in garbage and in his own feces.
An internal investigation prompted Garcia to terminate six jail staffers.
Mashell Lambert, who is Goodwin's mother, reacted angrily to what had happened.
"How do you think—as a mother to think of him sitting in a corner of his cell wondering where's momma?" she asked.
Now, Garcia wants Houston's top job: mayor.
"He's not qualified to run," said Quanell X.
But for years, the activist has had a close relationship with attorney Ben Hall, who's also running for mayor.
We asked Quanell X if his criticism of the Garcia was being coordinated by the Hall campaign.
"Absolutely not," he said. "I have nothing to do with his campaign."
