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

Ector County routes interpreter requests based on the setting. If your request isn't connected to law enforcement, corrections, or court proceedings, it goes through the County ADA Coordinator.

For law enforcement and corrections situations (including jail operations), Ector County uses a contracted provider for sign language and oral interpreter services. The county's published contact list includes Dana McWilliams at (432) 498-4025 and Securus Video Relay Service (VRS) at (210) 219-8934.

If you make your request directly to a department instead of going through the normal channel, the department head is required to notify the ADA Coordinator immediately in writing. That written notice creates a record and helps keep the request moving to the right place.

For scheduled interpreter services at the jail, the request must go to Jail Administration. Give at least 48 hours' notice when you can so the interpreter can be booked for the date and time you need.

• ✓ Say this is a request for a sign language or oral interpreter for a jail-related appointment, and that it is scheduled through Jail Administration (48 hours’ notice where possible)
• ✓ Include who needs the interpreter and how to reach you for confirmation
• ✓ Provide the date and time you are requesting
• ✓ If you are told the request needs to go through county accessibility channels, ask to be connected with the County ADA Coordinator
• ✓ Keep the contracted-provider contacts handy for reference if staff need them: Dana McWilliams (432) 498-4025; Securus Video Relay Service (210) 219-8934

Unscheduled interpreter needs come up when there's no reasonable opportunity to plan ahead: a field encounter, the booking process, or another unexpected situation. In those moments, the officer or supervisor on duty is responsible for contacting the service provider directly to request an interpreter.

1. Tell the officer or supervisor you need an interpreter. Unscheduled situations do not require an advance request.
2. Ask that they contact the contracted interpreter provider directly. The county uses a contracted provider for law enforcement and corrections settings, including Dana McWilliams and Securus Video Relay Service (VRS).
3. If you are following up afterward, request that the department document the request and route it properly. The process requires notification up the chain when a request is received directly.

Ector County's policy is clear: staff must not suggest or require using a family member as the interpreter. If anyone pressures you to interpret for someone else, you can point to that policy and restate that a qualified interpreter is needed.

The county also states that the person receiving interpreter services cannot be charged for them. You should not be billed or asked to pay for an interpreter.

What to Provide

• ✓ The name of the person who needs the interpreter and your callback information
• ✓ The date and time you are requesting (give 48 hours’ notice where possible for scheduled jail services)
• ✓ That the request is for scheduled services at the jail and is being made to Jail Administration
• ✓ Whether you need a sign language interpreter or an oral interpreter
• ✓ If staff need the county’s contracted-provider contacts for law enforcement/corrections: Dana McWilliams (432) 498-4025; Securus Video Relay Service (210) 219-8934
• ✓ If the situation is outside law enforcement, corrections, or court contexts, direct the request to the County ADA Coordinator

After you make the request, ask for confirmation so you know it was received and scheduled. If you made the request directly to a department, the county's procedure requires the department head to notify the ADA Coordinator immediately in writing. It's reasonable to ask that this step gets completed as part of the follow-through.