HARRIS COUNTY (TX) CORRECTIONS PLAN

• NCJ Number: 19446
• Author(s): N HALL; R BERCK; M HANSON; E ZARROUG; R J OBENLAND
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 97 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-007-75
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Clearinghouse for Criminal Justice Planning and Architecture
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT SETS FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR RATIONALES TO ALLEVIATE THE OVERCROWDED AND UNDERSTAFFED CONDITIONS AND THE DETERIORATED FACILITIES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY (TX) JAIL AND REHABILITATION CENTER.

Abstract

THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY (HOUSTON AND ENVIRONS) WERE, AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT, IN VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 5115, REVISED CIVIL STATUTES OF TEXAS, WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDE 'SAFE AND SUITABLE' JAILS FOR THE CONFINEMENT OF PRISONERS. THREE POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION ARE OPEN TO HARRIS COUNTY. IT CAN IGNORE THE PROBLEM, BUT PROBABLY NOT FOR LONG IN THE FACE OF CITIZEN'S GROUPS AND THE COURTS. IT CAN SIMPLY EXPAND, AND RENOVATE EXISTING FACILITIES, AND BUILD NEW ONES. THE SOLUTION FAVORED BY THE AUTHORS, HOWEVER, IS TO MAKE MORE USE OF PRETRIAL DIVERSIONARY REMEDIES AND TO REDUCE. THE LENGTH OF TIME SPENT IN PRETRIAL DETENTION. THIS WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS FROM 2,300 TO 1,200 AND WOULD BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN BUILDING NEW FACILITIES.