New Jail in Limbo as Jail Standards Thwart County Plans

SAN ANGELO, TX — Tom Green County officials’ plans to operate two jail sites is now in jeopardy following new information and requirements from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.  

County Judge Steve Floyd said Monday requirements from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards “significantly add to the operating costs” of the jail system as planned and now they are exploring all options including shutting down the current jail and adding pods to the new jail site.  Originally, the County was counting on being able to operate the new jail without closing the downtown jail. With the costs anticipated to adhere to the State regulations, operating two jails is impossible financially.

“We don’t know yet what is going to happen.  It is all in the discussion phase until we get all the information.”  Floyd said.  Money is the key factor.  The county has about $50 million to construct the new jail currently planed to hove 328 beds.  The current jail downtown has 449 beds.  The county would have to issue new debt to construct additional pods to have enough beds at the new site in order to shutter the old jail downtown.

Floyd said they are researching other counties in Texas and many of those are experiencing similar jail overcrowding issues and pressure on the criminal justice system.  “It’s not just us.”  Floyd said, “The pressure on the criminal justice system affects all of us.”  

Further complicating the issue is the planned renovation of the courthouse.  Officials had planned to remodel space in the North Bryant Justice Center to temporarily house the district courts.  “We have not been able to solve the issue of temporarily relocating the district courts.”  Floyd said.  

The district courts were to be housed there temporarily while the courthouse was being renovated.  Floyd said they don’t know if funds will be available to renovate the courthouse to modernize the courtrooms and build additional courtrooms.  

Floyd said they would have additional information and be better able to decide how to proceed in a few weeks.  For now, construction on the new jail continues as planned and the current jail will operate as usual.  Construction on the current phase of the new jail is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2019.