KRISTV.com

CORPUS CHRISTI-This is a critical time for the Nueces County Jail because it's now at 93% capacity.

"The jail has been overcrowded a number of years. When I say overcrowded we have almost reached our capacity," said Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin.

The jail can hold 1,068 inmates. It's limited by law not to exceed 90-percent capacity in case more space is needed for problem inmates or if maintenance issue surface.

"We are 20 years behind the growth of the city and that is a long time for everything else to grow around you and for your jail not to grow," said Kaelin.

Kaelin has been working on a plan to increase capacity by converting some areas of the Mckenzie Jail Annex into jail space. They would turn the gym, training room and storage into dorms.These would house an additional 144-inmates.

"We came back to the commissioners court this morning we presented the report and they agreed," said Kaelin.

The cost has yet to be determined but Sheriff Kaelin said it could be paid for in part by money that comes from housing federal inmates. Architects are now on the project with recommendations made from the Texas Jail and Standards Commission.

"For a safe community you have to have a good jail system and you have to have a place to put this growth," said Kaelin.

The final plans will have to be approved by the Texas Jail Commission and by the commissioners. They are hoping that if everything goes as plan construction could begin by the end of this year beginning of next.

 

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