Smith County Shipping Out Fewer Inmates

TYLER — Smith County is sending fewer inmates to be held in other county jails, and that could mean big savings for taxpayers, according to County Commissioner Jeff Warr. KETK reports the trend could save the county about $750,000 annually. At its peak, Smith County housed more than 300 inmates in other counties. Warr says much of the trend can be attributed to cooperation among multiple agencies. He cites “a joint effort through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of the judges, JPs, the sheriff’s department, probation.” Last week, the number of inmates shipped out to other counties reached a record low of 17.