County Progress asked Adan Munoz, the new executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), to address some of the relevant issues facing county jails.
Q: With no new prisons in almost 10 years, TDCJ is again overflowing. What needs to be done to prevent a backlog of state inmates in county jails?
A: The population of the state continues to grow, and with it the number of individuals who we incarcerate. Even if the incarceration rate remains the same and does not grow, the number of inmates will still grow because they are a percentage of the overall statewide population which is projected to grow 60 percent over the next 30 years. Adjusting the existing system (parole and probation) will provide some relief, but not the amount that will be needed to prevent a substantial backlog similar to what was experienced in the early 1990s. Tweaking the existing system coupled with additional prison space may be the only way to prevent a backlog in county jails, short of reviewing the current sentencing practices and guidelines currently in place.
Q: What is the current blue warrant status?
A: As of Sept. 1, 2006, there were 2,963 “blue warrants” with new charges in our county jails, down from last year at this time, but up from the Jan. 1, 2006, number of 2,576. Of interest is the Sheriff’s Association legislative platform which lists the bonding of blue warrants as item No. 1, and if it passes it may dramatically impact the blue warrant issue, allowing counties to focus their limited resources elsewhere.
Q: The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics recently released a study indicating that more than half of all prison and jail inmates have a mental health issue. What can counties do to address this problem?
A: The Bureau of Justice Statistics used different criteria than what is used in Texas to determine what a mental health issue is and came up with a higher percentage than what we have identified in Texas, which is approximately 9 percent for small jails and approximately 30 percent for medium and large jails. Being able to identify those inmates with mental health issues is the first step in the process, and with the new CARE System Check, one that we are hoping will make an impact. Of course building and maintaining a good working relationship with your local MHMR provider is very important, but without enough funding and the ability to provide treatment, they are struggling in much the same manner many of our counties are. Additional beds for the counties at the state hospitals and in closer proximity would also be beneficial since the distances that many counties have to cover in order to place a person there is becoming an obstacle unto itself.
Q: What issues will the TCJS take before the 80th Legislature?
A: As a state agency we act as a resource for the Legislature and expect to be called upon quite a bit this next session, but we will be requesting three items so that we may better serve the counties. The first is restoration of the 10 percent required budget reduction for the next biennium. Over the past three years, our budget has been reduced 13 percent, and we have had to limit the amount of training and on-site technical assistance provided and leave vacancies open in order to carry out our statutorily mandated duties. The second issue we will be requesting is an additional inspector to keep up with the growth of county jail facilities. The Commission has utilized three inspectors for 30 years, and in that time the number of jail beds has grown from under 20,000 to over 80,000. The final item the Commission will be requesting is the funding for a new position that will be utilized as a diversion specialist. This position will study and analyze ways to divert inmates from county jails and work with other agencies such as the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOOMI) and MHMR organizations to find better alternatives to incarceration. In addition, this person would be able to provide counties with information and programs that have worked across the state and serve as a clearinghouse of information.
Q: What can counties do to ensure safe and secure county jails?
A: A county should ensure that their jail staff is properly trained and it should be reiterated that complacency contributes to most of the security issues we review. In addition to properly training your staff, providing adequate staff at all times and making sure you do not exceed your capacity will also assist you in operating a safe and secure facility.
Q: What are the keys to retaining jail staff?
A: There is no question that the key to retention is pay and benefits. A correctional officer’s job is very stressful and has very few rewards. They have to want and love what they do, so in turn they should be compensated with not only a decent salary, but with training and a good, decent and safe working environment.