Sorcha Costigan travels 100 miles from Sabine County to Louisiana twice a month to see her husband, Jess Hampton, who is held at Louisiana Workforce, a private prison in DeQuincy, Louisiana. Hampton, accused of child abuse in East Texas, is unable to afford his $250,000 bond and has been incarcerated for almost eleven months. Despite an investigation proving the abuse never happened, his bond remains high, and Hampton faces challenges connecting with his lawyers due to the distance.
The Texas Tribune’s analysis shows a significant increase in Texas inmates housed outside their county of arrest, with the number rising from 2,078 in June 2019 to 4,358 in June 2024. Counties across Texas are grappling with housing inmates, leading to the expenditure of millions in tax dollars on inmate transportation, with many inmates still awaiting trial. Factors contributing to the issue include a lack of new jail cells, challenges with staffing, and an overburdened mental health system.
Staffing shortages in jails, such as at Harris County Jail, have contributed to compliance issues with state standards. The shortage of jailers, exacerbated by an increase in violent crime in 2020, has led to overcrowding and extended stays in holding cells. Several counties, including Ector County and Trinity County, face similar staffing challenges and are sending inmates to other jurisdictions, incurring substantial costs for taxpayers.
Difficulties in finding solutions for jail overcrowding persist. Advocates stress the need for state investments in mental health support and alternatives to incarceration, as well as adjustments to bail policies to reduce reliance on wealth as a determinant for pre-trial release. However, Texas’s Republican-controlled Legislature’s historical emphasis on incarceration as a means to control crime poses challenges to implementing these recommendations.
Concerns regarding jail overcrowding, understaffing, and prolonged inmate stays persist amid legislative policies that prioritize law and order. The effects of outsourcing inmates to other states, as seen in Hampton’s case, place significant burdens on families and inmates, hindering their ability to navigate the legal process effectively. As Texas continues to grapple with these complex issues, finding sustainable solutions to alleviate jail overcrowding and improve the criminal justice system remains a critical challenge.