BY MELISSA ENAJE
Harris County jails remain understaffed Harris County officials described in late March how the county is struggling to manage its over- crowded jails. Factors discussed at a March 25 media meet- ing and March 26 meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court include inadequate staffing, specialty inmate populations which require a higher level of supervision than the general popula- tion and the challenges faced with staffing a facility that operates 24/7. Digging deeper Tonya Mills with the county administration department said 73% of people in custody are in a preadjudication status, or pretrial status, which she said was an exceptionally high number. Mills said those waiting longer for trial or to be seen by a judge have a negative impact on the overall jail population.
Child care centers eligible for tax aid
2023 Harris County jails detention officer staffing rates
Filled positions
Vacant positions
JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE
155 165 153 165 202 210 209 209 241 240 241 168
1,588 1,578 1,586 1,574 1,537 1,529 1,530 1,530 1,588 1,498 1,499 1,514
An estimated 327 Harris County child care providers now qualify for 100% property tax exemption after Harris County commission- ers authorized the exemptions at a March 26
court meeting. The framework
JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
Just six days prior to the county approval, members of the Houston City Council also passed a similar tax exemption, paving the way for child care facilities in both the city of Houston and Harris County to apply immediately for the exemption. For the exemptions to apply to the 2024 tax year, eligible child care facilities should submit their applications by April 30 to the Harris Central Appraisal District.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mills also said the average days to transfer inmates is increasing. While transferring inmates to out-of-state facilities may provide temporary relief, and court cases are beginning to process faster, she said it doesn’t address the underlying problem.
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