State Lifts Smith County Jail’s Remedial Order

AUSTIN – On Thursday, May 7, the Texas State Jail Commission released the Smith County Sheriff’s Office from a Remedial Order that had been in place since May of 2004. That word comes in a news release from Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. According to a document issued by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the remedial order had been in place since May 13, 2004. On that date, the Commission reviewed the status of compliance of the Smith County Jail. Although Smith County officials reported maintenance and sanitation issues had been resolved, the jail continued to experience staffing and overcrowding issues.

According to the document, “The Commission, by appropriate motion and second, voted unanimously to limit the population of each housing unit of the Smith County Jail to the level of available staff to meet the 1:48 officer to inmate ratio as required by minimum jail standards, not to exceed the approved capacity of the facility as well as the approved capacity of each housing unit.”

Prior to last Thursday’s Jail Commission meeting, Smith County Judge Joel Baker forwarded a letter to the Jail Commission requesting removal from the remedial order. This was precipitated by the final completion and inspection of the new 384-inmate Smith County Jail facility. Sheriff Smith as well as Major Deal Folmar, Smith County Jail Administrator and Captain Tobby Hughes, Assistant Smith County Jail Administrator, attended the quarterly Commission meeting in Austin. Smith provided testimony to the Jail Commission as to the steps that have been taken to allow the remedial order be lifted. The Jail Commission voted unanimously to remove the remedial order. The chairman for the Jail Commission remarked that with the removal of the remedial order, no other counties in the State of Texas are currently under a remedial order at this time.

Even though the Smith County Jail has been under a remedial order since May of 2004, all annual jail inspections have found the jail to be in compliance of minimum jail standards. Sheriff Smith also commented that there are currently no inmates being housed outside of Smith County and the new facility is fully operational. A bond election made it possible to construct not only the 384-bed facility, but also a new book-in, inmate infirmary, kitchen, inmate laundry, administrative offices, and video visitation. “We are proud of the new jail facility and of our citizens of Smith County for making it possible,” said Smith.