Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): CoreCivic, Inc.
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Emergency
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a Public Health or Safety Exemption renewal option with CoreCivic, Inc. for outsourcing of Harris County Jail inmates to the Tallahatchie Correctional Facility for the period of December 1, 2024 - November 30, 2025, at a cost of $11,358,750, Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Emergency.
end
Background and Discussion:
On November 2, 2023, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) reduced the number of variance beds
available for utilization at Harris County jail facilities. This action was taken as a result of the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office’s (HCSO) ongoing staffing challenges and subsequent inability to maintain the minimum officer-
to-inmate ratio at all times.
As a result, the HCSO will lose the use of 580 variance beds, which were previously approved upon the
contingency of meeting all minimum jail standards. The variance beds will be reduced in increments of 144, on
a monthly basis, beginning December 1, 2023.
This contract for additional inmate outsourcing will therefore be needed to ensure Harris County is able to
house all inmates while meeting minimum jail standards for staffing officer-to-inmate ratios. In addition, since
the Harris County Jail remains beyond its capacity of housing inmates internally, outsourcing allows the HCSO
to ensure we maintain a secure workspace for employees and a safe living environment for inmates.
The Tallahatchie Correctional Facility located in Tutwiler, Mississippi is the only one that currently has the staff
and beds to accommodate new inmate intake. The facility has full medical and dental services on site as well
as expansive outdoor and indoor recreational spaces.
Expected Impact:
Outsourcing inmates will allow HCSO to meet the requirements of the TCJS, and the redistribution of existing
jail staff facilitates a safer environment for both inmates and HCSO personnel.
Alternative Options:
No alternative options have been identified that would accommodate the rapid changes required by the
December 1, 2023 deadline to begin reducing variance beds.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
11/14/2023 |
302 |
Agreement Approved |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1000 - General Fund |
$11,358,750 |
$ |
$11,358,750 |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 6/25/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 6/25/2024
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Chief Philip Bosquez, Chief of Detentions, Sheriff’s Office; Luke Herdrich, Senior Buyer, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter