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| TX Commissioners to Address Overcrowding |
| By The Midland-Reporter Telegram |
| Published: 03/13/2006 |
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In response to overcrowding at the Midland County Jail, the Texas county has had to ship dozens of inmates to other counties' facilities each month, but the money allocated for these expenses is almost gone. The Comissioners' Court will hear a request by the sheriff's office today to authorize additional funding for inmate outplacement. Capt. Richard Sexton, who manages the jail, said he sent a letter to Sheriff Gary Painter recommending he request an additional $300,000 for the cost of housing inmates in other counties, which he said should be enough to last until the end of the fiscal year in October. Sexton said the Commissioners' Court budgeted approximately $200,000 for fiscal year 2006 for inmate relocation, but in the past five months most of that money already has been spent to house inmates at jails in Reynolds County, Taylor County, Upton County, Ward County and Winkler County. Sexton said they have had to ship out about 55 to 60 inmates each day to these counties, at a cost ranging from around $35 to $45 per inmate, per day, or roughly $50,000 a month. He said overcrowding is an ongoing concern and they still need to ship out an additional 10 to 15 inmates each day to help alleviate the problem. "I think we can find some money for this," Midland County Judge Bill Morrow said. "I haven't had a chance to get with the sheriff... but I'll be visiting with him. We have funds available if needed." Morrow added it is possible there are sufficient funds remaining in other areas of the sheriff's office's budget that could be reallocated for inmate outplacement, but he will not know for certain until he speaks with Painter. Painter could not be reached for comment. In meetings with the Commissioners' Court, Sexton has recommended the county consider constructing enough space for at least an additional 300 beds, which he estimated would cost about $50,000 per bed by national standards but may cost closer to $30,000 based on regional construction costs. He said the total cost could range from $9 million to $15 million. Additional jail space might provide an opportunity for the county to generate income, Sexton has told the Commissioners' Court, by shipping inmates into the county, rather than out. |
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