How to Request a Sign Language Interpreter for Ector County Jail Visits or Meetings

Ector County contracts with providers for sign language and oral interpreter services in law enforcement and corrections settings. The county's procedure lists Dana McWilliams and Securus Video Relay Service as contacts for these services - useful to know if you need to get the right people involved quickly.

When you request an interpreter from a county department, the department head is supposed to notify the ADA Coordinator immediately in writing. You don't need to manage that handoff yourself. Just be clear that you're requesting an interpreter so it gets routed correctly.

For anything you can plan ahead - a scheduled visit, attorney-client meeting, or arranged interview - submit your interpreter request through Jail Administration. Give about 48 hours' notice when possible so there's time to coordinate.

• ✓ Request the interpreter through Jail Administration for any scheduled service at the jail, and try to give 48 hours’ notice when you can.
• ✓ If your scheduled date or time changes, notify Jail Administration as soon as you know so the interpreter can be rescheduled.
• ✓ If you made the request directly to a county department, the department head should notify the ADA Coordinator immediately in writing - follow up so that handoff happens.

Sometimes interpreter services are needed unexpectedly - during booking, for example. In these situations, the county's procedure says response time is generally 30 minutes to one hour. That gives you a sense of what to expect while staff arrange communication support.

1. Flag the communication need right away - in unscheduled situations, the person who needs services will usually tell the officer, and staff are also expected to recognize the need when it’s apparent.
2. Staff request the interpreter directly - the officer and/or supervisor on duty makes the request straight to the service provider.
3. Wait for the provider to respond - because these situations are unforeseen, no advance request is required, and services are expected to be arranged promptly.

For scheduled interpreter services at the jail, start with Jail Administration. They'll contact the service provider to get it scheduled. Dana McWilliams and Securus Video Relay Service are also listed as contacts for law enforcement and corrections interpreter services. For requests outside those contexts (not law enforcement, corrections, or court), contact the ADA Coordinator instead.

Tips Scheduling

• ✓ When you request a scheduled interpreter, go through Jail Administration and try to give 48 hours’ notice.
• ✓ Be ready to share the scheduled date and time so Jail Administration can line up the interpreter.
• ✓ If plans change, tell Jail Administration as soon as possible so the interpreter can be rescheduled.
• ✓ If you made the request directly to a department, make sure the request is sent to the ADA Coordinator in writing as the county procedure requires.