The Courier of Montgomery County reports that 64 beds will be added to the Montgomery County Jail by Sheriff Wesley Doolittle. The primary purpose is to address long-term overcrowding conditions caused by county population growth.
According to Doolittle they have been “running over 90% capacity” with their 1,253 available beds.
Infrastructure changes won’t be required for the additional beds and required a variance that the Texas Jail Commission approved on February 6th. Accommodations for the beds will be available thanks to floor space in one of the jail’s housing areas.
Although there are capacity issues, the jail recently passed an inspection by the commission. An inspector is concerned with the jail condition, inmate processing, emergency preparedness, medical care and hygiene standards.
Staffing doesn’t seem to be a problem since Doolittle said he has filled all 31 staff vacancies that were open at the jail since he took office on January 1st.
Doolittle said he and his staff are focusing on more “innovative’ ways to effectively use the jail in addressing capacity.
Regarding taking on the capacity issue, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough has lent his support to Doolittle. For the short time Doolittle and his staff have been in office, Keough thinks they’ve “done a fantastic job.”
Back in 2015, following a needs assessment study, two possibilities were suggested—enlarging the existent facility for $197 million or constructing a new jail for $202 million. The purchase of land was not included in the $202 million suggestion.
