Jail Overpopulation and Outsourcing Costs
Summary
The county jail population remains severely over capacity at a daily average of 577 inmates against a recommended target of 417, costing over $107,000 weekly to outsource inmates.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Mar 10, 2026.
Impact analysis
Outsourcing costs are approximately $107,727 weekly.
Out-of-county detention facilities housing outsourced inmates.
County taxpayers bearing high outsourcing expenses.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Commissioners Court Regular — March 10, 2026
Weekly jail reports showed continued overcrowding, with an average daily population of 567 inmates against a recommended operational capacity of 417. The county spent $88,867 on outsourcing inmates to facilities like Haskell County, alongside 39 paper-ready state inmates.
Regular - Feb 24, 2026
The court reviewed judicial services reports showing successful pretrial release programs that save money and reduce the jail population, though out-of-county housing costs and paper-ready inmates remain a challenge.
Commissioners Court Regular — February 24, 2026
The court reviewed jail population figures showing daily averages well above recommended operational capacity, resulting in ongoing taxpayer expenses for outsourcing inmates.
Commissioners Court Regular — February 3, 2026
The county jail remains well over capacity, forcing Hays County to house over 135 inmates out of county at a weekly cost approaching $100,000.
Commissioners Court Regular — January 20, 2026
The county reviewed ongoing jail capacity challenges, noting a daily average inmate population of 589 against a recommended operational capacity of 417. Weekly outsourcing costs reached $106,907, with 35 paper-ready state inmates awaiting transfer.
Commissioners Court Regular — January 6, 2026
The county jail population remains severely over capacity at a daily average of 577 inmates against a recommended target of 417, costing over $107,000 weekly to outsource inmates.
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