By Gloria Bigger-Cantu
January 10, 2010
An increase in the jail population continues to cost Kleberg County plenty of money to house them and ultimately the taxpayer is paying for their upkeep, according to officials. Some inmates have been jailed almost 300 days. Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza cites the Sheriff’s Department for being lax and not taking care of the jail situation. However, officials at the Sheriff’s Department believe that all entities involved in incarceration procedures need to be held accountable also.Read more

The Carson County jail failed a recent state inspection, and county officials have been given 30 days to correct a list of problems.
Adan Munoz, executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said when the jail was inspected Oct. 29, a state official found it wasn't in compliance with several minimum state standards. The commission is charged with overseeing county jails.Read more

We know that there are many reasons for problems in a county jail, and
we make this award in the spirit of tough love. It is a shout out to local folk
and to the media as well as the staff and sheriff, asking them to take a
second look at the way inmates are treated while held in the local jail—and
to then make positive changes!

Nominate a LOCAL JAIL, not a state prison, not a state jail. Texas has
250 county jails holding more than 70,000 people. Email us:
diane@texasjailproject.org with your nomination for the Texas Hellhole Award,Read more