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Wichita County reports 11 jail vacancies, rising overtime tied to trials; 602 inmates including roughly 80 from other counties
Summary
Wichita County commissioners on Friday received a staffing and overtime report showing 11 jail vacancies, rising overtime tied in part to deputies testifying at trials, and about 602 inmates on the day of the meeting.
Wichita County commissioners on Friday received a staffing and overtime report for the jail that showed persistent vacancies, higher overtime associated with court obligations and ongoing questions about medical-cost accounting.
County staff reported 11 open positions in the jail, with six people scheduled to start in June. Commissioners said the county is working with local training partners: staff referenced outreach to Vernon College and reported three full-time licensed nurses directed to Vernon College who have started or will continue training there. County officials also noted outreach to other schools, with mixed responses.
Overtime has risen for several reasons, staff said: training, jail staffing gaps and court obligations. Deputies were frequently called to testify at trials, sometimes on days off, which increased overtime. County staff also said a trial in a neighboring precinct required deputies to be at court for full days.
On population and revenue, staff reported a total jail population of about 602 people on the day of the meeting; roughly 80 were from outside Wichita County. About 45 people were waiting for transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Commissioners asked for a monthly breakdown of revenue received from out-of-county inmates; staff said the county “gets the checks” but did not present a monthly revenue schedule during the meeting. Officials noted the county had received $615,000 before the current year for related services.
Officials also discussed medical services delivered under the county’s contract with CoreHealth. Kevin Patterson is working on medical-building matters and commissioners said some charges are being applied against the county’s capped CoreHealth amount; staff said details on which services count against the cap were still being clarified. Commissioners discussed a state bill that appears likely to pass and would reimburse counties for holding people who are awaiting a state hospital slot; officials said that change could provide some financial relief.
No formal votes or contract approvals were taken during the staffing and overtime discussion. Commissioners asked staff for clearer monthly revenue reporting to reconcile overtime and salary expenses with revenue from out-of-county inmates.
