Commissioners Court commends jail staff

The Camp County Jail recently passed a surprise inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).

The state agency, created in 1975 and headquartered in Austin, oversees county jails to ensure construction and operation standards. The inspection is an annual event, but the inspector arrives unannounced. To pass inspection, the jail must follow Texas Minimum Jail Standards in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 9.

During the May 30 Commissioners Court meeting, the commissioner, County Judge AJ Mason, and Sheriff Alan McCandless recognized Chief Jail Administrator Tracie Yount and her staff with a letter of gratitude.

The standards include meticulous records on each prisoner, including personal property and medical or dental issues. For example, complying with the inmate’s medical treatment is a big issue for the jailers. An inmate’s medical condition must be taken into consideration and the jail must adhere to the inmate’s medication regimen and keep records of issuing the medications. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits from inmates or the state.

“Tracie and her entire staff and ultimately the Sheriff is responsible for the recordkeeping of the jail,” Mason said. “This inspection is not something that can be rushed into at the last minute and try to get it in order. It doesn’t work that way.”

“The results of this inspection tell us that things are going well in our jail,” Mason said.

In other business:

• Sheriff McCandless requested a transfer of funds - $10,000 - from the Sheriff’s Capitol Reserve Fund to the Camp County General Fund. He told the commissioner the funds would be used to repair and remodel the constable’s office so county law enforcement officers could use the space as an in-service training room. Judge Mason added that the office space would also be used as the County’s Emergency Management Center. The measure passed unanimously.

• The Court approved a request by County Attorney Angela Hammonds-Saucier to be allowed to conduct private business from her courthouse office. This is allowed under Texas Law Locale Government Code 41.011, with the permission of the Commissioner’s Court. “I do very little outside business, as the County is my main concern and my main job is the County, however this would make it easier on me if something comes up,” Hammonds-Saucier said. “I just want to be within the law.” The measure passed unanimously. In the discussion portion of the meeting:

• Commissioner George French reported that he had not been able to make contact with the state representative about a grant for a floating boat ramp for the Highway 21 boat ramp.

• Commissioner Steve Hudnall reported that his crew was working in the Thunderbird subdivision.

• Commissioner L.H. Henderson led a discussion about purchasing several dirt and gravel pits for the county’s use. County Auditor Nanette Willabay agreed to investigate the feasibility of the purchase.

• Judge Mason informed the Court that local banks had been invited to bid on servicing a $502,000 loan for the lighting and HVAC project for all the county buildings.