Newest County Jail Proposal

TYLER – Smith County residents have been given a look at a new county jail expansion plan. It was presented and discussed at a town hall meeting Thursday afternoon. The plan is to expand the existing downtown jail facilities and eliminate the need for out-of-county inmate transport. The $35 million plan includes an in-house infirmary, estimated to save the county $600-800,000 per year in hospital expenses, and an additional 384 beds to eliminate the average $2 million annual cost for housing Smith County inmates in alternate facilities. County officials say the plan will eliminate pressing safety issues, increase operating efficiencies and cut costs.

“In good and bad times government needs to strive to improve efficiencies and cut costs. There is never a good time to build a jail, however this plan offers the greatest impact at the lowest cost to the taxpayers,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Warr, who worked to develop the plan.

“The facts are black and white. We have to keep criminals off the street and it makes more sense to own the space they are in than to rent it,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cary Nix said. The plan offers few new amenities but reorganizes existing resources to operate more efficiently.

“The kitchen and laundry facilities are being moved to the low-risk campus to allow trustees full access to work there,” Commissioner Warr said.

“The visitation space will be replaced by an infirmary and all visitation will be done by remote video, increasing safety and eliminating the need for jail employees to monitor this function. Lack of contact with family members also works as an added detourant for offenders,” Commissioner Warr said.

“This plan is about organizing and maintaining efficient operations for our criminal justice system, not creating any extra comforts for those who are in jail,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips said.

The $35 million plan, if approved by a May bond election, would add one cent per $100 valuation to the Smith County tax roll for 15 years or a cost of about $13 per year to the average Smith County household.

“This proposal addresses numerous situations that our Sheriff’s office has dealt with for years in severely inadequate conditions, which will ultimately lead to greater safety for our deputies and jail personnel,” Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said.

County Judge Joel Baker said that cooperation and extra work done by members of the court, along with the work that the District Attorney and the Judges have done to expedite the judicial process, will have significant benefit for all our Smith County citizens.