Introduction to the Agreement
Fort Bend County commissioners have approved an agreement with Colorado County to house inmates from the Colorado County Jail. This decision was made during a meeting on Tuesday, and it outlines the terms of the arrangement between the two counties.
Details of the Agreement
The agreement states that Colorado County will pay $87 per day for each inmate housed in the Fort Bend County Jail. Colorado County has a population of approximately 21,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Colorado County Jail is not listed among non-compliant jails with statewide jail standards, and a spokesperson from the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office could not be immediately reached for further information about the agreement.
Background and Context
The agreement comes at a time when several jails across Texas are struggling with chronic staffing shortages and overcrowding, leading them to outsource their inmates. Last year, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office considered sending its own inmates to a private facility due to staff vacancies. However, after securing raises to attract more employees, Sheriff Eric Fagan stated that the county was no longer considering sending its inmates to another facility.
Similar Situations in Other Counties
Other counties in Texas are facing similar challenges. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, which has sent inmates to private, out-of-state facilities, is working on bringing them back as the jail’s population decreases. In April, Montgomery County commissioners approved an agreement to house about 45 inmates in the Waller County Jail, at a total cost of $3,375 a day. The state jail commission also shuttered the Liberty County Jail that same month, prompting relocations of more than 200 inmates.
Current Inmate Population
As of May 1, the Fort Bend County Jail was housing a total of 801 inmates, including contract and federal inmates. In contrast, the Colorado County Jail had a total population of 50 inmates. This significant difference in inmate population highlights the need for agreements like the one between Fort Bend and Colorado counties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the agreement between Fort Bend County and Colorado County to house inmates from the Colorado County Jail is a response to the challenges faced by jails across Texas. With staffing shortages and overcrowding being major issues, such agreements allow counties to manage their inmate populations more effectively. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor how these agreements impact the counties involved and the state’s jail system as a whole.
