Local News
Jail revenues adding up to time well served
PALESTINE — Housing an average of more than 25 out-of-county inmates per day over the past few weeks, Anderson County has generated almost $20,000 in revenue through the housing of such inmates, according to local officials.
“We’ve got 27 out-of-county inmates and we’ve generated $19,516 since Sept. 8,” Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said Tuesday morning. “We’ve had as many as 30 (out-of-county inmates on a given day).”
As of early Tuesday morning, the Anderson County Jail had a total population of 188, according to the sheriff.
All 27 of the outside inmates were being housed as part of a contract with Community Education Centers (CEC), formerly known as CiviGenics, which operates private jail facilities throughout the U.S., including ones in Groesbeck, Lufkin and Texarkana.
CEC is paying Anderson County $34 per day, per inmate.
Anderson County also has similar contracts with Smith and Houston counties, but those entities have not been housing any of their inmates in Palestine in recent months.
The Anderson County Jail — which includes the new and old wings — has a total of 305 beds.
“I’ve let them know we’ve got room if they need any beds,” Taylor said. “Their populations must be holding steady.”
Representatives of Freestone County and the Tyler city marshal’s office have also contacted Anderson County about the possibility of housing some of their inmates, but have not signed contracts to date, according to the sheriff.
Anderson County voters overwhelmingly approved a $10 million bond package in May 2005 which essentially called for the building of a new jail facility around the existing one on East Lacy Street.
In garnering support prior to the bond election, sheriff’s and county officials touted the possibility of housing some inmates from outside the county to offset some of the jail’s operating expenses.
————
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
- Local News
-
-
Sheriff’s Office gets crime scene van to help with investigations
Thanks to the generosity of some local entities, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office now boasts a fully-outfitted crime scene van which will allow the agency to more easily work major investigations.
- Animal seizure hearing set
-
PHS student wins Dogwood Queen title
Palestine High School senior Ashley Conner topped 11 other contestants to win the title of 2010 Dogwood Queen Thursday night at the Palestine Civic Center.
-
Memorial fund set up for accident victim Eggen
A memorial benefit fund has been set up for the family of Troup construction worker Zach Eggen, who died in an accident Thursday at Palestine High School.
-
Conner named 2010 Dogwood Queen
-
Our Town: Dogwood Jamboree begins sixth year Saturday
The Dogwood Jamboree will begin its sixth year of production with its March show “Magic Moments in Country Music” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
- YMCA looking for new director
-
Three in custody after burglary
Three Palestine residents are in custody after allegedly getting caught in the act of burglarizing a residence north of the city limits Wednesday afternoon.
-
Dogwood Trails volunteer meeting set
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a volunteer meeting for those wanting to help with the Dogwood Trails Celebration. The volunteer meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Chamber office, 401 W. Main St.
-
12 vie for title of Dogwood Queen
Twelve local girls will vie for the title of the 2010 Dogwood Queen Thursday night, March 11. The winner also will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
- More Local News Headlines
-
