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Commissioners hear jail overcrowding report; Randall County will not sign broad housing interlocal
Summary
The court heard that the jail held 621 people with dozens housed out of county; Randall County agreed to house two inmates but declined a standing interlocal, and commissioners discussed options including a neutral study and alternative bed-space arrangements.
The sheriff’s report to the court noted Potter County had 621 people in the jail (91 females); staff said about 83 percent were felons and 10 percent were misdemeanants. The court was told 39 inmates were housed in other counties: Garza (13), Scurry (7), Linn (17) and Randall (2). "We're gonna have to do something about this. That's crazy," the judge said during a discussion of capacity and maintenance needs.
Scott Giles updated the court on an interlocal the county had forwarded to Randall County for housing inmates; Giles said Randall County will honor housing the two inmates already placed there but will not sign a standing interlocal because it could complicate their federal housing contract. Commissioners discussed short-term options, the need for maintenance that requires cells to be emptied, and proposals to convene a neutral party to lead a study of long-term bed needs. Staff noted possible inspection impacts and limits on available bed space regionally, and the court agreed to place further study and planning on a future agenda.
