James Allen Smith

Photograph collage of James Allen Smith, courtesy of Jame Smith Hanchey, obtained from the Texas Tribune.

James Allen Smith, 73, departed this world on June 11, 2020. James was a retired teacher from Bastrop, Texas. His favorite way to spend the day was fishing on a boat.  He is lovingly remembered by his family, including his three daughters and his granddaughter. James valued his family and would frequently write letters to his daughters during his stay at Estelle Unit, where he was pursuing a rehabilitative program. Every Saturday morning, he would call without fail to speak with his family on the phone.

In the month of May, James stopped writing letters, and one of his daughters, Jami Smith Hanchey, began to worry about her father. James had a heart condition for which he was taking medication, and his family was concerned about his susceptibility to COVID-19. There was no communication from the authorities about where and how James was, but prison records show that, on May 7th, James tested positive for the dreaded virus. A little over a month later, his autopsy results indicated that COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his passing.

“We never thought this would happen,” said Lani Davis, James’ 26-year-old granddaughter, told the Texas Tribune. “He was going to get out, he was going to be fine… He was only sentenced to six months.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged Texas prisons, resulting in the deaths of more than 130 people in state custody as of early August, the highest death toll of any prison system in the nation. Despite calls by the loved ones of those trapped inside and of advocates, Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles have refused to take measures to release those most at risk.

James was taken from his family unexpectedly and before his time. We stand with his family during this period of mourning and grief.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Lubaina Cementwala with information from reporting by Jolie McCullough of the Texas Tribune and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s COVID dashboard.