TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL
HARRIS COUNTY
HOUSTON, TEXAS
SUBJECT: COUNTY JAIL INSPECTION REPORT
State Law requires periodic inspections of county jail facilities (VTCA, Local Government Code,
Chapter 351, VTCA, Government Code, Chapter 511; Chapter 297.8, Texas Commission on Jail
Standards).

k8J

The facility was inspected on the date indicated below, and it was detennined that
deficiencies exist. You are urged: (1) to give these areas of noncompliance your serious
and immediate consideration; and (2) to promptly initiate and complete appropriate
corrective measures. The Commission is available to discuss or assist you with the
appropriate corrective measures required.

k8J

Failure to initiate and complete corrective measures following receipt of the Notice of
Noncompliance may result in the issuance ofa Remedial Order (Chapter 297.8, et seq.).

o

This facility was inspected on the date indicated below. There were no deficiencies noted
and upon review of this report by the Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Jail
Standards, a certificate of Compliance may be issued per the requirements of VTCA,
Chapter 511 and Texas Minimum Jail Standards.

Authenticated:

Inter-office Use Only

~~~.~~
Inspector Russell S. Biehle

June 13-17,2005
Date(s) of Inspection
cc:

j~D&fuJL OGZI05
Reviewed by:

Date

Judge
Sheriff
Iuspector

Individuals and/or entities regulated by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards shall direct all
complaints regarding the commission procedures and functions to the Executive Director at:
P.O. Bo.x 12985, Austin, Texas 78711 (512)463-5505, Fax (512)463-3185

TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS
Annual Jail Report

County:

Harris

Sheriff:

Tommy B. Thomas

Judge: ..:..:.:=t~'";;';'::'--------------

Mike Smith

Jail Administrator:

Certified:

5/17-21/04

Last Inspection:

DYes

Remedial Order:

iii No

iii No

Inspection Date(s):

6/13-17/05

Effect: Not applicable.

Fires:

o

Escapes:

3

Reportable Incidents:

DYes

11

Deaths:

Suicides:

Previous 12 roonths,:

Date Plans Approved:

1. Facility Name
Address:
Phone #

6/22/1998
Harris County Jail

..

Fax #

(713) 755-8411

2002

__._----

Zip Code:

1200 Baker St., Houston, TX

Built:

Renovated:

NA

Type:

Number of Variances:

77002

NA

Address:
Phone #

Built:

Fax #

(713) 755-6067

1991

3. Facility Name
Phone #

Zip Code:

701 N. San Jacinto, Houston, TX

Built:

Address:

Type:

Harris County Jail

Renovated:

NA

4261

Average Daily Population:

3186

Population this Date:

3447

1998

Renovated:

NA

Addition:

NA

77002

9483

Cells

Capacity

Sep Cells

-----

----

4450

Population this Date:

4693

Min

2001

HoldinglDetoxNiolent Capacity
Cells

Violent Cells

------

Facility Capacity: _--::.;10:.:7-=2~,

Addition:

Detoxification Cells

47 seconds

Drill Time:

(713) 755-2298

Holding Cells

Single Cells
M.O. Cells

-

4006

Average Daily Population:

Number of Variances:

720 bunks available at time of inspection due to closed housing units.
Housing Capacity

0

Facility Capacity:

Type:

Fax #

1 min 42 sec

Drill Time:

Number of Variances:

77002

Zip Code:

(713) 755-2400

Max

(713) '755-8405

Harris County Jail

1307 Baker St., Houston, TX

0

-----

Facility Capacity:

("713) 755-7541

Addition:

1 min 57 sec

Max
Drill Time:
-----

2760 bunks available at time of inspection due to closed floors 3 and 5.

2. Facility Name

)

Secured _---:3:...-

(Walkaway _----'0'---_

477

Average Daily Population:

844

Population this Date'

626

-------_.

--'---

1163

Females

(Female population Today)

Capacity

# of Cells

307

# of Bunks

960

Donns
Neg Press Cells

-----

Medical Cells

Construction Seculity Level

--

Minimum Capacity
Medium Capacity

-

Maximum Capacity

Population:

Housing _ _8:. ;7c..:;6c.;:.6

(During Inspection)

Total Inspection Time:

100 Hours
3 Inspectors

Hold/DetoxNiolent _...:..::.:=---188

Contract Inmates

1216

0

100 + Capacity (30% + Non - TX)

DYes

No

Total System Population _ _
89_5_4__
Total Average Daily Population

Interview with Court Representative:

Sheriff

iii

8267

iii Yes

Commissioners Court Representative

- -8480
---

o

No

Inspection Date(s):

6/13-17/0
Test Only
0
of Variances:

4. Facility Name
Zip Code:

Address: 711 N. San Jacinto, Houston, Tx
Phone # (713) 755-8420
Built:

1991

Fax #

(713) 755-8405

NA

Addition:

Renovated:

1998

Zip Code:

Address: 1201 Commerce, Houston, TX
Built:

1991

Fax #

(713) 755-4867

NA

Addition:

Renovated:

Phone # (713) 755,-6386
2001

Renovated:

Fax #

(713) 368-9368

2002

Addition:

Phone # (281) 446-3252
2003

Facility Name

Renovated:

(281) 446-7256

NA

Addition:

1979

Renovated:

NA

Fax #

(281) 463-8246

NA

Addition:

77084
NA

Clearlake Lock-Up

Phone # (281) 488-4717
1977

10. Facility Name

Renovated:

Type:
Zip Code:

Fax #

(281) 488-3757

NA

Addition:

77062
NA

Cypresswood Lock-Up

Address: 6831 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX
Phone # (281) 376-9047
1979

11. Facility Name

Renovated:

Type:
Zip Code:

Fax #

(281) 376-6153

NA

Addition:

77379
NA

Wallisville Lock-Up

Address: 14350 Wallisville Rd., Houston, TX
Phone # (713) 455-8071
Built:

77038

Type:
Zip Code:

Address: 16603 Buccaneer, Clearlake City, TX

Built:

NA

Clay Road Lock-Up

9. Facility Name

Built:

Zip Code:

Fax #

Address: 16715 Clay Rd., Houston, TX
Phone # (281) 463-4174

1988

Renovated:

Average Daily Population:

122

Type:
Zip Code:

Fax #

(713) 451-8802

NA

Addition:

77049
NA

0

Drill Time:

47 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Intake

Facility Capacity:

400

Average Daily Population:

341

Population this Date:

188

Drill Time:

50 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

RHC

Facility Capacity:

Type:

Address: 7900 Will Clayton Blvd, Humble, TX

Built:

77002

Humble Lock-Up

7. 'Facility Name

/S.

NA

Type:
Zip Code:

Address: 1201 Franklin, Houston, TX

Built:

77002

Court Holding Cells

6. Facility Name

Built:

Type:

Inmate Processing Center

Phone # (713) 755-8050

144

Population this Date:

Closed at the time of inspection.

5. Facility Name

Facility Capacity:

263

Average Daily Population:

Various

Population this Date:

Various

LU

Drill Time:

31 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Facility Capacity:

10

Average Daily Population:

10

Population this Date:

4

LU

Drill Time:

43 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Facility Capacity:

6

Average Daily Population:

6

Population this Date:

2

LU

Drill Time:

34 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Facility Capacity:

11

Average Daily Population:

7

PopUlation this Date:

1

LU

Drill Time:

42 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Facility Capacity:

10

Average Daily Population:

10

Population this Date:

4

LU

Drill Time:

41 seconds

Number of Variances:

0

Facility Capacity:

5

Average Daily Population:

5

TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS
COUNTY JAIl, INSPECTION REPORT

DATE: June 17, 2005

COUNTY OF HARRIS
AREAS OF NON-COMPI,IANCE
Item

Section
259

Paragraph
.133, .134,
.135, .136

Comments
Single cells, Multiple Occupancy Cells, Dormitories, and Dayrooms
have been utilized above their approved capacities at 1200 Baker
St.and 701 San Jacinto.

2

275

.4

The Harris County Jail System fails to meet the 1:48 officer to
inmate ratio for direct inmate supervision at 1200 Baker and 701 San
Jacinto.
711 N.San Jacinto, Floors 3 and 5 at 1200 Baker St., and over 400
beds at 1307 Baker St. have been depopulated due to staffmg
reasons. The Harris County Jail has closed/depopulated 1,584 beds
throughout the system due to staffmg shortfalls. This has resulted in
1,280 inmates being housed on the floor. These types of
overcrowded conditions have created:
1. Safety and security concerns
2. Life safety concerns
3. Sanitation issues
Overpopulation of housing areas beyond their designed capacity
results in a deficiency ofthe required inmate to fixture ratio for
toilets, lavatories, showers and seating. This continued overuse
requires additional maintenance in these areas and will decrease the
life expectancy of these fixtures and the physical plant as a whole.

.~
Russell S. BieWe - T.C.J.S. Inspector

Page 1 of1

~~~-).~
- Aussell S. Biehle-T.C.J.S. Inspector
TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAil STAN·JI_..... ·,,~'"
REQUIREMENTS REVIEW
Date: .June ..

County: HARRIS

REVIEWED BY:

COMMENTS

c.R..p.sse{[CJ3ielile

Conducted a walk through inspection of
the facility. See inspectIon report.
Not applicable.

1--

259

New Construction
.._.-

~

261

Existing Construction

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielile

263

Life Safety:

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

Inspected life safety equipment and
conducted and observed emergency drill.
Reviewed documentation. Conducted
staff interviews. Technical assistance
provided.

265

Admission

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

Reviewed a random sample of 50 inmate
files. Interviewed staff. Reviewed policv.

267

Release

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Reviewed a random sample of 50 inmate
files. Interviewed staff.

269

Records and Procedures

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Reviewed polic~ and documentation.
Interviewed sta and reviewed ADA
compliance evaluation.

271

Classification

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

273

Health Services

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Reviewed a random selection of 50 files.
Interviewed staff and inmates. Reviewed
training records. Reviewed policy.

275

Supervision/Staff Adequate, Qualified

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

Reviewed a random selection of 50 officer
TCLEOSE certification records. Reviewed
officer documentation. Interviewed staff.
See inspection report.
Conducted a facility walk through.
Reviewed facility schedule.

-

-

..-

..

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

277

-

Personal Hygiene

------

Reviewed a random selection of 50
inmate files. Reviewed staff training
records. Reviewed internal classification
audits. Reviewed policy. Interviewed
staff. Technical assistance provided.

1--

279

Sanitation

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Conducted a facility walk throu~h.
Interviewed staff and inmates. eviewed
policy.

281

Food Service

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

Conducted walk through inspection in
kitchen area. Interviewed staff and
discussed issues concerning diabetic
diets. Reviewed documentation.

283.1

Discipline

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Reviewed 30 disciplinary hearin~ records.
Interviewed staff and inmates. eviewed
policy. Reviewed inmate rules.

283.2

Grievance

CJ(usse{[CJ3ieliCe

Reviewed 50 inmate grievances.
R-eviewed policy. Interviewed staff and
Inmates.

.

285

.

Exercise

CJ(usse{[CJ3ielife

Walk throu~h of exercise area conducted.
Reviewed ocumentation. Interviewed
staff and inmates.

287

Education and Library

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

289

Work Assignments

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

.--

291.1

Telephone

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

291.2

Correspondence

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

291.3

Commissary

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed POliC~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

291.4

Visitation

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

291.5

Religious Practices

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed polic~ and schedule.
Interviewed sta and inmates.

xxx
xxx

Variances

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Reviewed facility variances.

(j{usseff CJ3ielife

Not applicable.

xxx

Complaints

-

-

Remedial Orders

.

-

(j{usseffCJ3ielife

Not applicable.

-