Van Zandt County Jail Passes Inspection
Posted/updated on: December 18, 2010 at 5:22 am
CANTON — The Van Zandt County Jail has passed it annual jail inspection by the state agency that oversees the states county jails. The Texas Commission of Jail Standards inspector was impressed with the changes and improvements made in the facility this past year. The inspection was concluded Wednesday evening with an exit interview with Sheriff R.P.Burnett and County Judge R. Koches were the State Inspector discussed his finding and any recommendation he may have had the inspection took about 10 hours to complete.
The Van Zandt County Detention Center has undergone several improvements in the security aspect of the County Jail. An entire new locking system was approved and installed by Integrity Steel, a detention lock and door company. This was done after several months of work between the Sheriffs Office staff, Commissioners Court and Texas Jail Standards, the state agency that inspects and oversees jails in the State of Texas. This improvement will greatly enhance the security and control of the jail and make for a much safer facility for the inmates housed here and the staff, Sheriff Burnett said.
In addition to the new locks the jail is in the process of a new paint job that has lightened the interior of the facility considerably. The once dark green doors and cell bars trimmed in black have been repainted with shades of lighter browns. The lighter color has in the past made a definite change in the attitude and atmosphere of inmates and staff. This also contributes to the overall safety of the facility.
A technology grant was obtained by the Sheriffs Office and a much needed surveillance camera system to also help with the security of the jail was obtained at no cost to the tax payers. It will allow Detention staff to monitor both other staff and inmates movement inside the jail. It is replacing a long out dated system that parts can no longer be obtained for. It will also allow for staff to maintain a much higher level of observation of the entire facility both inside and out. Sheriff Burnett has been seeking out ways to help better the Sheriffs Office and the Detention Center with as little or no cost to the county as possible. The Sheriff stated, This has been my goal since taking office to help control expense and improve on your Sheriffs Office.
