Rusk County Jail Deals with Staffing Concerns

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Jail may face staffing issues before too long. A ratio of one correctional officer for every fifty inmates is required by Texas law. In order to comply, the jail will only be able to hold a maximum of 140 inmates at all times — about half the jail’s full capacity. Finding new employees is proving difficult. Officials tell KETK too few qualified applicants are applying for these positions — and they may have to start housing inmates outside the county.