Saturday, April 20, 2024
In response to a letter the Texas Jail Standards Commission sent to Coryell County leaders about noncompliance because of overcrowding and suggesting counties which have jail space available, the county recently reached an agreement with Haskell County to potentially send inmates there.
Comal County's jail was also mentioned as a possible solution for overcrowding in the letter, but Coryell County already has an agreement in place with that county. The new agreement with Haskell County would allow Coryell County to house inmates there for $92 per bed.
Commissioners also approved an agreement with Mills County that increases the rate Coryell County pays to house inmates there from $50 to $75 each per day.
County Attorney Brandon Belt said Nov. 4 will mark one year from the time the jail standards commission notified Coryell County that its jail was not in compliance because of overcrowding.
"If we don't comply, they can file a lawsuit against Coryell County," Belt said. He noted that Coryell County officials are scheduled to appear before the commission in November.
"They have one year from the date they inform us of noncompliance to bring us into compliance or take action."
That action could include a lawsuit in district court in Travis County.
One issue that has aggravated the county's ability to send inmates to other counties in order to be in compliance is a recent COVID outbreak, which kept Coryell County from sending inmates elsewhere.
Sheriff Williams said he was told that was not an excuse for noncompliance, and he asked for that information to be put in writing so it can be presented to the commission during the upcoming November meeting.
