By Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger, Commission Chair
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS or Commission) conducted its quarterly workshop and Commission meeting on Feb. 7 in Austin.
Commission Chair and Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger expressed appreciation to the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, Texas Association of Counties, Conference of Urban Counties, Texas Jail Association, Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, advocacy groups, county representatives, and Commission members for their time and input as Jail Standards were discussed throughout the past year via teleconference calls. Proposed changes to 33 Standards were discussed and will be published in the Texas Register for comment. The majority of the changes involved definitions creating uniformity in terminology, i.e. “corrections officers/guards” to “jailers” and “guard stations” to “jailer stations.”
Two new Standards were also approved to be published in the Texas Register for comment:
Inmate Discipline
THE COMMISSION IS PROPOSING TO AMEND 283.1 (1) (F) & 283.1 (2)(E) Inmate Discipline Plan-Minor and Major Infractions TO ADD RESTITUTION FOR DAMAGE TO JAIL PROPERTY AS A DISCIPLINE SANCTION.
Remedial Order by Commission
THE COMMISSION IS PROPOSING TO ADD 297.8 (E) Remedial Order TO PROVIDE REVIEW OF AN ISSUED REMEDIAL ORDER UPON ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OF ALL MINIMUM JAIL STANDARDS AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION.
For a complete review, please visit the Commission website at www.tcjs.state.tx.us.
TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood, Texas Association of Counties Legislative Liaison Laura Nicholes, and Limestone County Sheriff Dennis Wilson with the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas reviewed legislative issues that directly affect the Commission, have a major impact on county jails, or require fiscal notes from the Commission.
The Sheriff’s Association will focus on mental health/mental retardation issues in the county jails during this legislative session. The Commission is urging county officials to contact their representatives and senators concerning safety, security, and health issues related to the housing of inmates with special mental health needs in county jails. After all, 254 counties have a strong voice. Please monitor the TCJS website for a related letter and sample resolution.
Mental illness coupled with suicide ideation is a complex issue that challenges even the most experienced jailer. Diana Spiller, TCJS research specialist, reviewed a draft of a training course to provide county jailers, magistrates, and judges with information and guidelines to assist in completing the Medical and Mental Impairment Screening Form.
TCJS Assistant Director Shannon Herklotz reviewed the Small Jail Issues Outreach Program for counties with 24 or fewer beds in their jails to facilitate discussion and generate problem-solving ideas related to the operation of small jails. The goal is to meet quarterly via telephone conference calls with sheriffs or jail administrators to discuss current issues and to share resolutions.
TCJS is also prepared to launch a new sheriffs’ training initiative in 2013 aimed at assisting all newly elected sheriffs in carrying out their statutory duties in a more efficient and effective manner. Through telephone conference meetings, new sheriffs can discuss issues and generate problem-solving ideas while networking to create a stronger bond between their fellow officials.
In other business, the Commission reported the following:
236 jails in compliance
19 closed jails
8 jails out of compliance
2 remedial orders in effect at the request of counties
On Jan. 1 the total population in Texas county jails decreased by 3,106 from the previous month. Statewide capacity increased by 14, due to Shackelford County opening a new jail. County jails are now collectively operating at 64.51 percent of capacity, with only one jail at 100 percent capacity or more. As of Jan. 1 county jails housed:
38 TDCJ halfway house inmates
64 out-of-state inmates
7,387 contract inmates (county, federal, TDCJ and out-of-state)
The next Commission meeting will take place May 2 beginning at 9 a.m. in the William P. Clements Building in Austin, 300 W. 15th St., 1st floor, Room 103.
If you as a county elected official have any questions or concerns regarding your county jail, please do not hesitate to contact TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood or myself, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger. So many times your concerns can be addressed with a quick phone call. Jails are always a hot topic as they represent high budget costs and security issues along with safety risks. Please know that your comments do make a difference. We will continue to review current Standards as we work with you to discuss innovative processes to “assist local governments in providing safe, secure and suitable local jail facilities.”
*The February meetings were not available online due to the change in location necessitated by the current legislative session.