Commissioners continue modular jail space discussions

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

The Coryell County Commissioners Court continued discussions regarding portable modular buildings to accommodate much needed jail bed space during their regular meeting Tuesday morning.
Earlier this year, the County Jail was found to be out of compliance due to overcrowding, again. County officials have been faced with finding space for the inmates during a time where jail beds are a rare find and the county is spending $1 million plus annually to house overflow inmates in other counties.
The discussion of finding alternative space for the county’s inmates was brought up back in June. Sheriff Scott Williams had previously told the commissioners of a 2021 quote for $16 million for 60-month period of temporary housing from Eagle Detention Facilities. 
Another company, All Detainment Solutions LLC, proposed the use of 53-foot tractor-trailer units to be repurposed for inmate housing, a housing solution that had yet to be used in the state of Texas. 
Tuesday’s discussion was the third such discussion, or continuation of the discussion, regarding this option as an alternative to house the county’s inmates. 
“We’ve had this on here for a series of meetings, and we’ll continue to have it,” said County Judge Roger Miller about the agenda item. 
The county’s inmate population hovers at 148, with 15 percent in minimum security, 79 percent making up medium custody and four percent in maximum custody. The county’s jail has a capacity of 92 inmates. Coryell County has had agreements with approximately eight other counties for the housing of inmates in other counties’ jails.
Typically for modular buildings, they are meant for minimum or medium custody inmates. In previous meetings, Williams has mentioned that a “tent city” isn’t feasible for the county due to it only being acceptable for minimum security inmates, which Coryell County tends to release anyway in order to have space to hold the higher security inmates. 
Commissioner Scott Weddle suggested having presentations back-to-back from the different companies in order to better compare their proposals and select the best company. 
He mentioned one company, Boxx Modular, which is headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Boxx Modular offers medium-and minimum-security spaces and could have a leased facility on site in approximately 30 days that would be set on a concrete pad. 
During a previous meeting, Commissioners were introduced to Sprung Structures, based in Houston, as a possible option. This company offered single bed spaces for 48 or bunk bed spaces that could house 96 inmates. The company offers a standard size building with a size of 50 feet by 120 feet. 
Commissioners also briefly mentioned other companies based out of Missouri and possibly Illinois.
Miller asked for a recap to be put together for the Commissioners for a future meeting detailing which vendors the county has been in contact with. He added that he agreed with Weddle’s recommendation. 
“It probably would be good if we had a meeting specifically to invite some of these people in and give us some more detailed information in person,” Miller said. “If this is the route we’re going to go with, then we need to explore what we’ve got up there and kind of, in my mind, at least be able to keep the different vendors that are available straight.”
Weddle added that he felt the Sheriff’s Office will need to make sure to provide input and make sure that this is a feasible solution. 
“That it’s safe and feasible and workable and that the staff would be able to go back and forth between those units and in the main unit,” Weddle said.