Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE 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
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion regarding Harris County jail population, staffing, conditions, facility maintenance updates, and other issues.
end
Background and Discussion:
On October 31, 2023, the Commissioners Court directed the Office of County Administration (OCA) to have a
standing jail item on the agenda for updates and actions to ensure expeditious progress on improving the jail
conditions and reducing the jail population. This item is the next scheduled update on this topic.
Expected Impact:
Keeping a standing item on the Commissioners Court meeting agenda will maintain the work of addressing the jail population, staffing, and conditions at the forefront and build momentum for improvements.
Alternative Options:
Return to providing ad hoc updates to Commissioners Court.
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
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
06/11/2026 |
1 |
No Action |
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03/19/2026 |
2 |
No Action |
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12/11/2025 |
1 |
For OMB and OCA to provide an estimation of cuts to the Harris County Jail inmates outsourcing contracts on February 26, 2026, Commissioners Court. |
|
09/18/2025 |
2 |
No Action |
|
06/26/2025 |
1 |
No Action |
|
03/27/2025 |
29 |
No Action |
|
01/23/2025 |
16 |
No Action |
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12/10/2024 |
20 |
No Action |
|
08/06/2024 |
19 |
No Action |
|
06/25/2024 |
18 |
Directed OCA to work with OMB on funding for JBCR/FSPA by the August 6 court. Directed OCA to work with District Courts to evaluate a full-time/fully resourced Competency Docket by September 19. |
|
04/05/2024 |
29 |
No Action |
|
03/26/2024 |
28 |
No Action |
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02/27/2024 |
16 |
No Action |
|
12/19/2023 |
24 |
No Action |
|
10/31/2023 |
419 |
Direct OCA to prepare a standing jail item for the agenda and work with HRRM and HCSO on a Detention Officer pay scale that improves retention |
|
11/14/2023 |
13 |
First standing item: Request for discussion and possible action regarding Harris County jail population, staffing, conditions, and other issues. Direct OCA to prioritize the length of stay analysis, Detention Officer retention, and a particular focus on those charged with murder. |
|
12/05/2023 |
11 |
To have VSD, County Courts, Justice Stakeholders, OCA, and the Budget Office consider a Veterans Docket, Domestic Violence Docket, Mental Health Docket, and other specialty courts based on the framework of the existing RIC Docket, and for an update in the first quarter of 2024. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Total Existing Budget |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 9/17/2026
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
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator, Office of County
Administration; Dr. AJ Roy, Director of Data Analytics, Justice Innovation, Office of County Administration; Samuel Pena, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Engineer
Attachments (if applicable): OCA and OCE PowerPoint Presentations (separate cover)