Inmate outsourcing costs rise

As Hays County continues to outsource inmates to surrounding counties, the cost continues to rise. 

For the week of June 16-22, the cost of outsourcing inmates totalled $76,448, according to data presented by County Judge Ruben Becerra. Each week, the Hays County Sheriff's Department compiles a report, which is in turn presented at weekly Hays County Commissioners Court meetings. The total cost of outsourcing inmates in 2019 to date is $1,188,312. 

The average weekly cost over the past 18 weeks in which inmate outsourcing has been presented at court meetings is $66,017.33. If this average rate continues, by the end of 2019 Hays County could spend $2,970,779.91 to outsource inmates. 

The average daily number of outsourced males last week was 199, while the average number of outsourced females totaled 13 for the week. This week’s inmates were placed in the following counties: Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnett, Caldwell, Guadalupe, McLennon and Walker. 

Of the counties to which inmates were outsourced last week, Walker County is the farthest from the Hays County Jail with a distance of approximately 172 miles.