TCJS November Meeting Recap
By Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger, Chairman, Texas Commission on Jail Standards
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), or the Commission, conducted its quarterly meeting on Nov. 5th.
During the meeting the Commission voted to rescind remedial orders that had previously been issued for Hopkins and Jim Hogg counties. Hopkins County has been able to reduce its overcrowding issue by working with court officials and housing excess inmates in other counties. Additional testimony from county officials indicated that Hopkins County is also exploring long-term solutions, such as the construction of a new facility and possible methods of financing. Jim Hogg County also had its remedial order vacated after the jail was found to be in compliance during a recent inspection which verified that all plumbing fixtures were in good working order.
The Commission also voted to approve or continue variance requests from several counties. Officials from Grayson County requested that their 49-bed variance be approved for the life of the facility and testified that the construction and possible privatization of a new facility had become a hotly contested issue in the county. In addition, Grayson County officials informed the Commission that they were exploring a proposal to convert a section of their minimum security housing into maximum security by installing steel to the walls and ceiling as a short-term solution to their overcrowding. Upon conclusion of the presentation by Grayson County officials, the Commission extended the variance for six months and requested that the county provide an update at the February 2010 meeting in order to ensure the county is actually moving forward.
Polk County requested a 10-bed variance to assist the county with its housing needs during the construction of an addition. After receiving testimony that all minimum standards would be adhered to after the installation of the additional beds, the Commission approved the request for 12 months. The next agenda item was Harris County, which was requesting that its 1,612 variance beds be left in place as they begin a security electronics upgrade project which will require the closing of entire floors during construction. The county also provided testimony regarding their new Criminal Justice Policy Committee which will review options that will hopefully begin to reduce the number of inmates and decrease the need for variance beds throughout the Harris County jail system. The request was approved by a majority vote with the variances extended for 12 months.
For additional votes on individual county variances and requests, please visit the Commission Web site at www.tcjs.state.tx.us.
Under old business, the Commission heard updates from various counties including Bexar, Dallas, Dimmitt, and Gillespie counties. During the meeting it was reported that Bexar County had corrected all of its noncompliance issues regarding overcrowding, insufficient staffing, inoperable communication system, and maintenance issues, and is now in compliance. Gillespie County also provided an update on its overcrowding issue and was recently found in compliance with minimum jail standards. Dallas and Dimmitt counties provided updates on their efforts to achieve compliance status with the Commission, and no action was taken.
In other business, the Commission voted to adopt the seven changes to minimum jail standards previously proposed, as directed by recent legislation. The new standards contend with the treatment of pregnant inmates, the identification of the mentally ill, and the reporting of a jail custodial death to the commission within 24 hours. The new standards were set to go into effect on or about Nov. 25th. The newly adopted standards must be published in the Texas Register for 20 days prior to going into effect.
During the meeting, Commission staff reported the following regarding Texas County jails.
Completed Jail Projects:
Bandera County completed a 96-bed new jail.
Fannin County completed a 432-bed detention center.
Fort Bend County completed a 1008-bed addition.
Jail Planning and Construction List:
38 jails are in the planning stages, and 10 jails are under construction.
Jails in Compliance/Non-Compliance:
216 jails are compliant, and 33 jails are noncompliant, with 17 jails closed.
Status and Composition of Jail Population:
On Sept. 1st, the total population in Texas county jails increased by 306 from the previous months, increasing the statewide capacity to 91,235. County jails are collectively operating at 78.54 percent with five jails operating at 100 percent or more.
All 2010 meetings of the TCJS will be conducted in the John H. Reagan building Room 120, 105 W. 15th St., Austin. The Commission voted to approve the 2010 meeting dates of Feb. 4th, May 6th, Aug. 5th, and Nov 4th.