Jim Wells County approves one-year inmate‑housing contract with GEO Group to cut transport costs

Jim Wells County commissioners on April 10 approved a one‑year contract with GEO Group Inc. to house medium‑ and low‑security inmates at GEO's facility in Brooks County, the sheriff said.

"This will help with our growing transport costs and housing of inmates," the sheriff (Mr. Baker) told the court, noting GEO will not house high‑security inmates or females. The sheriff said GEO could safely take at least 48 inmates — enough to open a dorm — and that the arrangement could reduce round‑trip transport time from several hours to roughly 30'6 minutes.

Sheriff Baker said the county's daily population has averaged about 90 inmates recently, and that moving a portion of the lower‑risk population to GEO could materially cut overtime and mileage costs associated with long transports. "It's going to help with knocking down the high transport costs," he said.

The contract term is one year; either party must give 60 days' notice to renegotiate or terminate. Commissioners voted to approve the agreement by voice vote after discussion about capacity and classifications. No roll‑call tally was provided in the record.

Court members also discussed the county jail's physical constraints. The sheriff said older areas of the jail have plumbing problems and aging sliding bar doors that are expensive to repair, and he cautioned that local repairs would be necessary before significantly increasing on‑site capacity. He said the jail is certified and currently in compliance following a recent inspection that identified only technical assistance items (plumbing repairs, an exhaust fan and documentation improvements) to address.

Next steps: the contract begins immediately; the sheriff and staff will work on logistics, classification assignments and any remaining local housing needs for females or high‑security inmates that GEO will not accept.