Friday, May 17, 2024
As overcrowding at the Coryell County Jail continues to be an issue, Coryell County officials moved another step closer to finding possible relief as discussion focuses on portable buildings as a temporary solution.
Several vendors are being considered, including those already doing business in Texas.
"Travis County has used Sprung (portables) to alleviate their problems," said Coryell County Sheriff Scott Williams.
Commissioner Kyle Matthews said he has talked to the representative of a company that placed modular facilities in Del Rio, including a large tent.
"The state gave Del Rio (in Val Verde County in southwestern Texas, on the border with Mexico) a three-year waiver (from its jail overcrowding issues) for that."
Williams asked about the county requesting proposals or quotes from companies that could provide temporary jail facilities.
"When I reached out to our inspector, I didn't get much," Matthews said. "We're dealing with a different situation here."
Williams said the county is looking at different options, and hopes to work with the Texas Jail Standards Commission to find a resolution.
One of the big unknowns is what the bill will be to address the overcrowding issue.
"I don't know what it will cost," Matthews said.
If a temporary building is placed near the jail, Williams said perimeter security is also required.
The majority of those housed at the jail — or sent to other jails that do have space — are considered to be medium security. Most of those who are considered low security risks are released and monitored.
"Medium is my biggest population," Williams said. "We can place medium security (inmates) with either minimum or high security."
A lack of space for a portable facility is another concern, Williams said. He added that jail overcrowding "is not just a Coryell County problem — it's statewide and nationwide."
Commissioner Scott Weddle asked about requirements for housing inmates and the number that a temporary facility could accommodate.
"We are limited to 48 inmates (per jailer)," Williams said.
"One of the biggest hardships in my opinion is that the state jail commission doesn't want to allow waivers," Matthews said.
"It's frustrating but what do you do," Williams said. "You have to do the best you can with what you've got."
Weddle said he would reach out to some of the vendors to find out if their portables were options to meet Coryell County's needs and also comply with state standards.
"There's a process to follow," County Judge Roger Miller said. "If we clearly know what we want, we can put together a bid package."
Among the issues are being able to connect to water and sewer and the maximum size facility the city would allow based on available space.
"Designs would have to be in compliance with Texas Commission on Jail Standards standards to meet a specific security level," Miller said. "We set the parameters for what (vendors) need to bid on. We need to look at all the things to be considered as part of the bid process."
Williams said the county's 92-bed facility could focus on housing the maximum security inmates, with the portable facilities used for lower risk inmates. He said the county had 32 inmates housed out of county at other jail facilities, "which is really low" compared to previous numbers.
The commissioners agreed to further explore solutions and talk about viable options at a later meeting.
