Texas County Aims To End Overcrowding
Nueces County TX commissioners are moving forward with solving the overcrowding issue at the county jail, which is one step closer to bringing federal inmates back to the jail.
Commissioners plan to spend nearly $1.8 million to get the McKinzie Annex up to state standards, which should open up space for 48 additional prisoners. In spite of continued growth over the last two decades, Sheriff Jim Kaelin said the last time Nueces County updated facilities was with the opening of the Waco Street Jail in 1991.
On Wednesday morning, the jail was filled at 95 percent capacity and it has to be at 75 percent to even consider bringing in federal prisoners. Due to that percentage, Kaelin said opening up the McKinzie Annex needs to be a priority. “To court, that pod’s got to be open if there is anything in the future in regards to federal inmates coming back into our facility. I cannot do it, as it stands now,” Kaelin said.
The MSNBC story has more details.