Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Dallas may close jail to save money

Kevin Krause at the Dallas News Crime Blog reports that the new Dallas County budget includes provisions to close one of the county's five jails to save money on staffing costs.

This should be a cautionary tale for communities like Smith County (Tyler) to the East of Dallas or McLennan (Waco) to the South which hope to solve overcrowding problems by expanding capacity. Even if you've got extra jail space, the biggest expense will be paying to adequately staff it. That may not be financially possible without large tax increases, even if a new jail gets built.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

May close jail? JWP has decreed "it shall be done." The sheriff's department better get hoppin' or there will be hell to pay. After all, one doesn't cross Commissioner Price.

Anonymous said...

As far as I can tell the county has yet to do a detailed staffing study of county jail facilities to see if this decision makes the most sense. Is the county making the best use of current staffing levels to help keep all jail facilities open with current staff while helping preserve public safety? Beats me.

Anonymous said...

Aha, So if they close jails does that means that they would reduce the riots in jails and the guards would be in a better position to control people? Think about it.

Anonymous said...

Sorry but I disagree with them. How can it be possible that the even think in closing jails to save money?? God!!