A private prison in West Texas, the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility, is closing down at the end of September. This prison housed inmates from Tarrant and Harris counties but failed a state inspection, leading to its closure.
Initially, safety violations were reported at the Dalby facility, prompting Tarrant County to end its contract early. Despite passing a reinspection later on, the lack of transparency regarding the violations led to the termination of the contract. Harris County, on the other hand, kept the contract in place despite not being informed of the violations.
The parent company of Dalby, Management & Training Corporation (MTC), cited the closure as a result of the end of Tarrant County’s contract and uncertain contract renewal talks with Harris County. MTC spokesperson Emily Lawhead mentioned ongoing discussions with other potential agencies but noted that final agreements have not been reached to ensure the facility’s long-term viability.
Harris County has already started transferring inmates out of Dalby, with plans to completely move them out by September 26. On the other hand, Tarrant County did not disclose the number of inmates brought back from Dalby or how many still remain for safety and security reasons.
The closure of Dalby has raised concerns about job losses, as the facility is the largest employer in Garza County, with about 170 jobs at risk. County officials are actively seeking a new operator to address the need for county beds in the state.
As Dalby served as an overflow facility for Harris County, the closure has prompted Harris County to sign a new outsourcing contract with another facility in Louisiana. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards will monitor the transfer of inmates from Dalby to ensure that jail populations do not exceed staffing levels or capacity in both Tarrant and Harris counties.
Overall, the closure of the Dalby facility is expected to have a significant impact on the operations of both Tarrant and Harris counties, as they navigate the process of relocating inmates and ensuring safety and compliance with state regulations.