Restoration work at the Liberty County Jail on Beaumont Ave., in Liberty, continues to move forward, but even when the facility is fully repaired, it will not be large enough to house all of the county’s current inmate population.
Sheriff Bobby Rader updated Liberty County commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 8, on the remaining work at the existing jail, including improvements to the exhaust system, replacement doors, cameras, intercoms and other repairs.
While this comes as good news, County Judge Jay Knight told Bluebonnet News that the completion of those repairs will not eliminate Liberty County’s need to house dozens of inmates elsewhere.
Asked whether the restored jail would have enough capacity to accommodate the county’s current inmate population, Knight said it would not. The county will continue outsourcing inmates to other jails in various parts of Texas because the existing facility simply does not have enough bed space.
That is expected to change when Liberty County’s new jail is completed. The larger facility, which will be located next to the Liberty County Law Enforcement Center on SH 146 N in Liberty, is being built to address the county’s long-term inmate housing needs and is expected to provide enough additional capacity that Liberty County could eventually lease unused bed space to other counties and agencies facing their own overcrowding problems.
In the meantime, work continues on getting the existing jail fully restored. The restored jail will continue to serve the county after the new jail opens, though officials have not yet determined exactly how the older facility will be used.
Commissioners were told that all of the fans for the jail’s exhaust system have been delivered, set and mounted. Electrical connections were expected to be completed, followed by testing of the system. Officials were working toward having that portion of the project completed around the end of September or beginning of October.
Two replacement doors associated with the restoration work are expected to arrive in November or December.
Additional cells also are moving closer to reopening. Twelve cells are expected to be returned to service after painting is completed.
Other areas still require plumbing work, painting and replacement of approximately 30 lights.
Another unexpected problem was discovered with underground conduit serving the jail’s A and B dorms. The conduit had collapsed and was filled with mud and dirt, preventing it from being used for the necessary wiring.
Texas Electrical instead ran new conduit through the ceilings. Sixteen cells that previously lacked intercom wiring now have conduit in place, allowing the contractor responsible for that portion of the project to return and complete the work.
Despite the progress, there are still roughly 20 to 30 items remaining on the jail’s punch list.
Camera system greatly expanded
The restoration also has resulted in a significant expansion of the jail’s camera system.
Approximately 30 cameras remain to be installed. The jail currently has about 136 cameras, with the completed system expected to have roughly 166. That is a substantial increase from the approximately 40 to 50 cameras the facility had previously.
Some of the remaining camera work is expected to wait until around mid-October because ceilings must be removed to complete the installations.
Contractor claim remains unresolved
Commissioners also met behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss a claim from Cotton Commercial USA Inc. involving work associated with rebuilding the jail.
The claim is for approximately $276,255.
After returning from executive session, commissioners voted to take no action on the claim and authorized the Liberty County Attorney’s Office to continue discussions regarding the matter.