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Sheriff reports rising jail population and warns of scam calls using officer names
Summary
Sheriff Fletcher told commissioners the jail average was 294 inmates (capacity 330) and reported an increase in scam calls using real officer names and ranks; he cited recent losses of $10,000, $3,000 and other amounts and urged public vigilance.
Sheriff Fletcher told the Harrison County Commissioners Court on Oct. 8 that the county's jail population has risen and that the department has fielded a surge in scam calls that use real officer names and ranks published online.
In his administrative report Fletcher said the jail averaged 294 inmates as of Oct. 1, including 29 contract inmates held for other jurisdictions. He said the department has been unable to transfer some inmates to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice because of system backlog and that the jail's safe capacity (without using an older annex) is about 330. "It is up," Fletcher said when asked about population; he added staff obtained some early releases through the district attorney to create headroom but still need about 40 more transfers to reach safer levels.
Fletcher also warned commissioners of a wave of scam calls that use names and ranks taken from public websites. He said victims have wired thousands of dollars to scammers via kiosks in recent weeks and cited examples: one victim lost $10,000; others lost $2,400 and $3,000. The sheriff said the office is posting warnings on social media and asked the public to share the notices and to be cautious about unsolicited calls demanding money; he reiterated that law-enforcement agencies do not call to demand payment for warrants.
The court received the report and thanked the sheriff; no formal action was taken beyond the administrative briefing.
