Texas Jail Is Small, But In The Pink

Sheriff Hopes Pink Jumpsuits, Walls, Sheets Encourage Inmates To Reform

(AP) 
Low doesn't know the size of the Mason jail floor, but said each cell is 18 square feet. There is also a walkway around the cells.

The Mason County Jail is operating under 17 variances of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. That means it would not pass inspection under today's standards, but those variances allow the jail to stay operational.

Low says that could change any day. It's an 1800s jail facing 2006 problems.

"The problem is we need a new jail," he said. "I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. If the jail commission comes in and closes the jail, I'm the sheriff that got the jail closed. If we build a new jail, I'm the sheriff that raised taxes."

Low believes the county needs a 36- to 45-bed facility. The county could use the beds it needs and lease the rest of the beds to other counties looking for space. That could defray some of the cost of the jail.

"At some point, the jail commission can come in and say this is wearing thin," Low said. "They could say we have had ample time to do something about it. My job is to protect the community. I can't look at profit and loss."

As a comparison, Menard County, just west of Mason County, has 2,300 residents, and its jail has a capacity for nine inmates. It was built in 1981.

Low estimates a new jail would cost between $6 million and $9 million.

Adan Munoz, executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said variances are issued to antiquated jails such as Mason that were built well before state standards were created. He said all Texas jails are inspected at least once a year.

As long as the variances don't become a safety issue for staff or inmates, the variances can be timeless, he said.

Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden said the county doesn't have the money for a new jail and he wants to continue operating the existing jail until jail standards say they can't. Mason County commissioners recently passed a roughly $2 million budget.

"And you don't want to build a jail for 10 people," he said. "So if you build it for 49 people, you have to hire nine more people to run it, and then there is more food and cost. It's a domino effect."

Mason, Menard and McCulloch county officials have talked about created a multi-county jail for all three counties to utilize. Talks have slowed of late because the three counties have expressed concerns about the cost, but Bearden said it's an option that is still available.

For now, Low and others hope small things such as giving inmates pink jumpsuits keeps them from coming back.

"That's not the Holiday Inn they are staying in up there," he said.

[sparkeee35]

WAY TO GO SHERIFF....good luck with your idea....sounds like a good one. Even though they really shouldn't be allowed a choice on refusing...they are in jail...I think its a clever idea...hopefully it will continue to work for your county.

[mjv2944]

You know what, I don't care if they have to sleep standing up. Its time jails were jails not a country club. These jails that provide all kinds of recreation should visit the sheriff in Arizona, no porn, no caffeine, no TV and no cigarettes and if you don't like it, don't come back.