Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman, Interim County Administrator
Managing Department: County Administration
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman, Interim County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Preliminary Investment Memo
Project Name: Jail Infrastructure Planning and Governance
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Incremental Authorization Requested: $1,253,180
Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,253,180 (for current phase, later costs TBD)
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Preliminary Investment Memo for the Jail Infrastructure Planning and Governance project, for an initial amount of $1,253,180 and request for approval of initial commercial paper funding in the amount of $1,255,000.
end
Project Description:
Harris County needs to plan long-term for its detention needs to maintain public safety, inmate safety, and to help minimize exposure to the legal system. As a part of planning for these needs, the Office of the County Administrator (OCA) is an RFQs to vendors to provide a needs assessment, gap analysis, and final recommendations on ways to reduce use of jail detention in Harris County. The contract includes the services of an architect on up to four recommendations for the expansion of or creation of new facilities including space planning, cost/benefit analysis, capital and operating expense, and designs for the spaces.
Before the contract is completed, the project will focus on conducting a gap analysis to assess whether identified needs can be met through community resources, reviewing the capacity of existing programs and services, and identifying barriers to access. After the contract is completed, the county will implement recommendations developed by the vendor to reduce reliance on jail detention, expand diversion and deflection strategies, and strengthen back-end alternatives that promote continuity of care and reduce recidivism, supporting long-term improvements to public safety and rehabilitation.
Approval of this project will enable the county to address service gaps, improve resource allocation, and create a more effective and equitable justice system.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
|
Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
|
Reducing use of jail detention, associated facility planning and programmatic design |
$1,003,179.50 |
February 2027 |
|
Contingency (25%) |
$250,000.00 |
- |
|
Total |
$1,253,179.50 |
- |
Due to the early stage and fluid discussions on this project, OCA is requesting a 25% contingency for this project.
The project is set to commence in February 2026, marking the beginning of a comprehensive review and planning process. Following the kickoff, the vendor will engage in a year-long evaluation, which will include data collection, stakeholder consultations, community engagement, and analysis of existing infrastructure needs. Throughout this period, progress will be monitored through scheduled check-ins and interim updates to ensure alignment with project objectives.
By February 2027, the vendor is expected to deliver a formal recommendation to the Jail Infrastructure Governance Advisory Committee (JGAC). This recommendation will serve as the foundation for subsequent decision-making and strategic planning related to jail infrastructure improvements.
Justification & Alternatives:
This portion of the project will build on the needs assessment by conducting a gap analysis to understand if the needs identified are or can be addressed in the community, including a review of the current capacity of existing programs, services, and treatments, as well as barriers to accessing them. After completing this analysis, the vendor will develop responsive recommendations that seek to reduce the use of jail detention for those who could be better served in the community, targeting both front-end opportunities for more deflection and diversion and back-end opportunities for more alternatives to incarceration, continuity of programming, and resources that limit recidivism for the returning population.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
|
Fund Code |
Description |
Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
|
N/A |
N/A |
$0 |
|
- |
|
|
|
$- |
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$- |
|
- |
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: C: Improve safety and health conditions in the jail.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): C1: Support the Jail and Community Safety Infrastructure Governance Advisory Committee’s and Resident Advisory Committee’s efforts to increase non-carceral options and improve safety, security, and other conditions in jail facilities.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Previous Court Action:
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
03/26/2024 |
30 |
Approval of a Community Safety and Justice Innovation Jail Infrastructure Planning and Governance framework |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address: Multiple
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request |
|
|
Commercial Paper |
$ |
$1,255,000 |
$1,255,000 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$1,255,000 |
$1,255,000 |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$1,255,000 |
$1,255,000 |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 2/12/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by:
Department Approval by:
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects and Infrastructure, 2/2/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: County Administration
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description:
OMB Financial Management contact: