State Commission To Receive Update On County Jail

Nov 04, 2009 - 15:38:17 CST.

Gillespie County Sheriff Buddy Mills will brief members of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) in Austin tomorrow about the current status at the Gillespie County Jail during the commission’s next meeting.

The update comes three months after commission officials discussed -- but ultimately took no action toward -- shutting down the local lockup as a result of overcrowding issues.

“We have always been open for business (at the jail),” Mills said. “If they get arrested here, we’re going to find a spot for them.”

Although the recommendation by TCJS Executive Director Adan Munoz ultimately did not pass, county officials were warned that, if the Fredericksburg-based jail ever again exceeds the 15-prisoner capacity mandated by the state, then it will be shut down.

Since that time, Gillespie County Commissioners have approved agreements with Kerr and Bandera counties to house prisoners in a closer proximity to Fredericksburg than Comanche County, which local officials continue to utilize for the detention of long-term prisoners.

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