When accused persons are unable to assist in their defense because of mental incompetency, the trial court orders them committed to a state mental institution for treatment and restoration of their competency. These defendants have not been convicted of a crime, but they cannot be tried or released until they are mentally competent. For several years, the legislature has failed … [Read more...] about Mental Health Jail Backlog Increase
jail
Sandra Bland Act
Prisoner Safety Measures Address At-Risk Inmates
The Sandra Bland Act, passed by the 85th Texas Legislature, calls for a multitude of changes that are affecting and will affect Texas county jail operations and Minimum Jail Standards including education requirements, installation of specific equipment, and inmate access to health and mental health professionals. Throughout the last several years, the Texas Commission on … [Read more...] about Sandra Bland Act
Time and Attention
Sheriffs Encourage Commissioners Court to Prioritize Jail Operations
Kelly Rowe learned a valuable lesson his first day on the job in the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department back in 1999. “When I first walked into the old Lubbock County Jail, which was built in 1931, I made a lot of notes to self,” recalled Rowe. “One of those notes was to tour the jail before accepting my next job. I accepted this job, and then I toured the jail. I walked … [Read more...] about Time and Attention
Robertson County Celebrates the Future at Groundbreaking for New Sheriff’s Office, Jail
Sponsored Content Robertson County officials celebrated the conclusion of nearly a decade of discussion by breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art sheriff’s office and 92-bed jail in June. “Today has been a long time coming,” Robertson County Sheriff Gerald Yezak told a crowd of law enforcement officials, first responders, local political figures and business … [Read more...] about Robertson County Celebrates the Future at Groundbreaking for New Sheriff’s Office, Jail
County Indigent Health Care Q&A: Part 2
Editor’s Note: Our March issue covered the background of county indigent health care, patient eligibility, and county jail inmates. The following completes our two-part series. In 1985, Rita Kelley was serving as the regional planner of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services for the seven-county Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) region. In June of that year, Walt Reedy, … [Read more...] about County Indigent Health Care Q&A: Part 2