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County warden reports jail repairs largely finished; commissioners raise inmate housing rate to $86/day
Summary
Warden Chief Knox updated the Commissioners Court on ongoing repairs at the Liberty County Jail and confirmed West Hall HVAC and security upgrades are nearly complete. Commissioners approved accepting the report and raised the per-inmate billing rate to $86 per day, effective March 1, 2026, to reflect higher inmate-care costs.
Warden Chief Knox reported that work on the Liberty County Jail’s West Hall is nearing completion, with two doors and a window left to repair and the HVAC described as "completely operational." Knox told the court that camera installation and expanded-metal security features are ongoing and that an East End overhaul will start after West Hall work finishes.
Knox said the county will continue to house some inmates out of county even after repairs “because we're only at 281–285 capacity,” explaining that space constraints make transfers necessary. Commissioners thanked Knox and moved to accept the report.
Separately, the sheriff’s office requested an increase in the county’s daily billing rate for housing inmates to $86 to cover rising inmate-care expenses. County staff said the agenda item corrects a prior clerical error and applies the change to all agencies. Commissioners approved the rate change on a voice vote. The packet listed an effective date that appeared to be a typographical error; the court recorded the change to take effect March 1, 2026.
The actions leave the county continuing to use out‑of‑county beds while the local facility reaches full functional capacity and change the county’s internal billing schedule for inmate housing. No amendments or minority votes were recorded on the transcript.
What happens next: county detention and billing staff will implement the new $86 daily billing rate and continue the remaining facility repairs and camera work until the East End overhaul begins.
