GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court opted to take time to research a contract for housing prisoners in San Jacinto County, one that would cost less that the previous contract.
County Judge Danny Martin said at the March 25 meeting that Trinity needed a new contract; San Jacinto County had to stop housing prisoners last year because the jail was damaged in a storm.
County Attorney Colton Hay said the contract seemed pretty standard; however, if a Trinity inmate has to be taken to a medical facility, the county will charge $50 per hour per guard. Additionally, they can refuse to house high-risk inmates.
Hay said it was his belief that’s how the contracts always have been, but this is the first time it has been written down formally.
Under the new contract, the cost would be $65 per day per inmate. Under the previous contract, which expired in September 2024, the cost was $75 per day per inmate.
Commissioner Neal Smith suggested Martin and San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner meet and discuss details. The commission agreed, tabling the matter.
The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court on March 24 put their stamp of approval on the contract. During the meeting, commissioners discussed having Trinity County pay for a minimum of 20 beds per day, but ultimately the contract was approved without that stipulation.
In other business, the court:
