Jail Commission to review order in May
In a conversation that lasted only minutes at the State Capitol in Austin last week, Stonewall County Sheriff Bill Mullen updated the Texas Commission on Jail Standards about the county jail’s compliance issues, who after hearing the report, allowed the existing order to remain in place until further review in May.
Sheriff Mullen traveled to Austin in response to an order the county received in November, informing Stonewall officials of the determination made during that month’s Texas Commission on Jail Standards meeting. The Commission’s remedial order allowed for processing, classifying, and releasing unclassified and pretrial persons, it restricted the facility from confining inmates in excess of 72 hours.
The letter to the court also informed officials that the county judge and sheriff were also required to attend the meeting to address the commission regarding the order and numerous violations of non-compliance. TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood briefed the members about the notice of non-compliance and how the jail had been downgraded to a lockup facility.
“I am pleased to report that they have addressed all of their items, and the deficiencies have been corrected,” said Wood, also informing commission members that the Stonewall County.
Sheriff Mullen also provided the commission with testimony, saying that while it has admittedly taken time, Stonewall County has put in a good deal of effort to address and correct each area of non-compliance. “That’s about all I can say about it,” said Mullen. “We’ve been working diligently to get this all done, and it’s just been a slow process.”
The commission congratulated Mullen on his efforts and thanked him for delivering his report in person, but with no further questions or comments took no action on the standing order. Director Wood recommended the commission review the order again during the meeting in May.
The Stonewall County Jail has been under extra scrutiny since the escape of an inmate on two consecutive occasions in 2022. The facility also failed consecutive jail inspections and multiple violations were reported during 2023, and in November, TCJS issued the order that downgraded the facility.
Although recommending against taking action at this time, Wood admitted he is looking forward to returning to the commission with a positive report in the months to come, saying “I believe they are capable of returning to operation as a full-service county jail, and we will remain in contact and provide technical assistance as needed.”
While the Stonewall County Jail continues to operate as a 72-hour lockup facility for now, officials are hoping that once the state performs upcoming inspections, the county will receive a favorable report and have full operations restored when the Commission meets in May.