Hays County court backs letter supporting jail-based competency restoration after extended debate

HAYS COUNTY, Texas — The Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Jan. 7 to send a letter of support to Hill Country MHDD Centers for a proposed jail‑based competency restoration program aimed at shortening wait times to restore criminal defendants’ competency.

Supporters, including the county’s criminal district attorney and the local mental‑health authority, described the program as a way to move people off long state hospital waits and into restoration services more quickly. Opponents warned the program could further criminalize people with serious mental illness unless the county pairs JBCR with stronger community treatment and discharge planning.

The court’s vote authorizes three elected offices to send a support letter to Hill Country MHDD Centers. The motion was made by Commissioner Cohen and carried on a roll call vote with Commissioners Inglesby, Smith, Hammer and Judge Ruben Becerra voting yes.

Why it matters: People found incompetent to stand trial are often held in county jails while awaiting placement at state hospitals for restoration. Several speakers told the court those waits can be months or more; the county’s prosecutor and mental‑health partners said JBCR programs run by local authorities…