The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) is under Sunset Review in 2008. TCJS held public meetings during the first quarter of 2008 and has recently submitted a survey to county judges and sheriffs to receive testimony and written comments on policies, procedures and customer service. A Strategic Planning Session was conducted on April 30 to review input received from … [Read more...] about Jail Commission Meeting Report
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TCJS Conducts First-Ever Strategy Session
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) met Feb. 6, 2008, in Austin for its first strategic planning session in the Commission's 33-year history. This session was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that the Jail Commission is not only meeting its statutory responsibilities and fulfilling its mission, but also providing the best possible service to the citizens of the … [Read more...] about TCJS Conducts First-Ever Strategy Session
Texas Commission on Jail Standards Suicide/Mental Health Screening Form
The Commission on Jail Standards has implemented a new suicide/mental health screening form for use in all county jails. The new form is still one page and has been updated to remove awkward questions, to add questions intended to identify mental retardation, and to clean up portions of the form following feedback from the jails. The Jail Mental Disability/Suicide Intake … [Read more...] about Texas Commission on Jail Standards Suicide/Mental Health Screening Form
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 … [Read more...] about High Growth Rate Stresses County Jail
The Commissioners Court and the County Jail
The operation of the county jail is one of the most complex and expensive services provided by county government. Chapter 351 of the Local Government Code establishes the duty to provide local jails. In Section 351.041, the sheriff of each county is identified as the keeper of the county jail and charged with the duty to safely keep prisoners committed by proper authority. … [Read more...] about The Commissioners Court and the County Jail