High Growth Rate Stresses County Jail

Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
We are located on the I-35 corridor, half way between Austin and San Antonio. In little more than a decade, Hays County’s population doubled to about 140,000 residents. Hays County is considered the 7th fastest-growing county in Texas and among the 30 fastest growing in the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from April 1, 2000, to July 2, 2005, Hays County’s population grew at a rate of nearly 30 percent, from 97,566 to 124,432.
Most of the growth is a result of a migration of people from other parts of Texas and the nation. This growth presents opportunities but also stresses county services. While our tax base grows, county staff and facilities and road construction and repairs struggle to keep up. Schools are growing in order to accommodate the increasing number of students, and our resources from parks to water are also stressed. Cities are growing dramatically, and along with that comes more law enforcement and criminal justice needs.
In the 10 years I have served as county commissioner, I have witnessed these same stresses in services required of our county jail. That single facility, now almost 20 years old, is located in San Marcos. The design capacity of the jail is 362 beds, 66 of which are designated for female inmates. Hays County averages 37 females per day with an overall average daily population of 313 inmates; however peak numbers go far above that. The county is currently operating at or above 100 percent of the female space provided, and there is an indication that female incarceration rates will continue to increase throughout the state.
The Hays County Jail has been forced to take our inmates out of county several times this year in order to operate within its design capacity of 362 beds. This is very costly. Population estimates indicate this trend will only worsen if additional bed space is not “created.”
The Hays County Jail also provides support for various local and state agencies. These include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, San Marcos Police Department, Kyle Police Department, Texas State Police Department, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Attorney General’s Office, San Marcos Fire Department, and all Hays County constable precincts.
A Projected Capacity Needs report was prepared for Hays County by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) using population projections from the Texas State Data Center and peak population factors. That analysis is used to project future capacity needs for the jail. Consideration was also given to historical peak inmate populations which are those days in each month when the jail has the highest number of inmates. Using these projections and other formulas, a recommendation was reached. The analysis indicated that Hays County would need, at a minimum, 850 jail beds by the year 2020. However, based upon the 1:48 ratio (officer to inmates), no less than 872 beds should be considered, according to the TCJS. This analysis was based on a 16-year proposal beginning in 2004.
Our facility provides a work-release program and a “weekender” program. These are court-ordered programs for low-risk inmates and have proved to be very successful. The inmate is released from jail on Monday morning and reports back on Friday after he has completed his work week. This program also provides a financial savings to the county; while the inmate is working, the county is not feeding or caring for the inmate. Our day-treatment program has also been very successful. Many of the offenders in our jail are there because of drug or alcohol abuse. This is a six-week program, and once the inmate has successfully completed it, he or she may be eligible for probation. This also meets our long-term goal of reduced recidivism.
I have seen nothing to indicate that this population explosion is over or even slowing down. As we grow, our facility needs, including our jail, must keep pace. Building a facility of this size is a process which will take at least two years to complete. I believe that we must begin planning now if we are to meet jail standard requirements and avoid more costly options.
By Hays County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, Second Vice President, South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association