Reimbursement Procedure in Place for Qualifying Counties
Approximately $1 million appropriated to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (Commission) is now available to reimburse counties for the installation of electronic cell sensors or cameras in high risk cell areas in jails with 96 beds or less.
Senate Bill 1849, known as The Sandra Bland Act, was passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law in June 2017. The statute resulted in several changes to Minimum Jail Standards including the following: Install automated electronic sensors or cameras to ensure accurate and timely in-person checks of cells or groups of cells confining at-risk individuals. The legislature created an account titled the Prisoner Safety Fund to assist in paying for the capital improvement upgrades in eligible counties.
The grant fund became operational in September 2017 with the first disbursement going to Bosque County in June 2018. Counties are being reimbursed on a case-by-case basis, upon review of itemized documentation indicating the cost of equipment and installation.
The Commission has contacted County Judges, jailers and sheriffs in eligible counties regarding the grant application and reimbursement process, explained Bobby Ratra, grant coordinator for the Commission.
As of press time, 14 counties had requested reimbursement. For more information, please contact Ratra at bobby.ratra@tcjs.state.tx.us or Jason Ross atjason.ross@tcjs.state.tx.us.
