Readers split on criminal justice initiative

The Record’s online poll from Feb. 15 - March 1 asked readers whether they think a criminal justice commission to address the the issues that contribute to the outsourcing of inmates at Hays County Jail is a step in the right direction.

Hays County spent $61,507 the week of Feb. 3-9 outsourcing inmates to other county jails – an average of 170 male inmates and 12 female inmates. That number was slightly lower than the previous week, when the county outsourced an average of 192 male inmates and 12 female inmates at a cost of $68,258.

The Hays County Jail’s maximum capacity is 362 inmates, but state jail standards require facilities to hold 10 percent of jail capacity open, meaning the county’s capacity, based on jail standards, is 311.

Sheriff Gary Cutler said that as one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, he does not foresee a rapid solution to the inmate outsourcing problem, even with the scheduled new jail expansion.

But Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced that the county will be creating a criminal justice commission to help address the issues that contribute to the outsourcing of inmates, a first for the county.

The poll asking, “Do you think a criminal justice commission is a step in the right direction?” received a total of 124 votes, with the majority of votes — 51 percent or 63 votes — going to option “Yes, it might help find solutions for reducing outsourcing.” Forty-nine percent of voters, or 61 votes, chose, “No, it should be left up to the law enforcement community.”

A slim majority of poll voters think creating a criminal justice commission is a step in the right direction because it might help find solutions for reducing outsourcing. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to, accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.

SMDR’s new poll is available online now, and asks for reader’s opinions on whether they think adding university-issued photo IDs to the list of acceptable forms of voter identification in Texas would be beneficial. It can be voted on now.