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Smith County sheriff’s office reports 909 inmates and staffing churn; 22 jail medical transports reported
Summary
Chief Pickerton told the commissioners that the jail population on Feb. 4 totaled 909, including 31 federal inmates; the jail reported 22 emergency room visits and ongoing staffing turnover with hiring in progress.
Chief Pickerton presented the Smith County Jail operations report at the Feb. 4, 2025, Commissioners Court meeting, reporting a total in‑custody population of 909.
Pickerton said the breakdown included 31 federal inmates, a Smith County count of 896, and 13 out‑of‑county inmates. He reported expenditures for contract housing of $67,995 and federal per diem receipts of $181,840. The jail’s peak population figures were described as 904 (Smith County peak) and 918 (overall peak).
The jail reported 22 transports to the emergency room during the reporting interval; Pickerton said the ER visits reflected a range of medical issues, including pregnancy and heart problems, and occur when the clinic cannot treat inmates on site. He also reported staffing activity: 73 short‑form applications, 11 long‑form applications, nine background checks in process, one scheduled hire this week and another expected two weeks after a resignation; Pickerton said the department continues to both promote from within and experience separations.
Commissioners thanked jail staff for following fiscal commitments related to jail operations and asked clarifying questions about medical transports and staffing. No policy votes or budget amendments were recorded on this agenda item; it was presented as an informational report.
The jail operations report will continue to be provided to the court as part of routine oversight.
