West Texas Private Prison Closure Due to Tarrant County Contract Termination
A West Texas private prison that houses jail detainees from Tarrant and Harris counties is scheduled to close at the end of September following the termination of its contract. The Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility, located in Garza County, approximately 40 miles outside of Lubbock, failed a state inspection earlier this year, prompting concerns about safety violations. Despite passing a subsequent reinspection, Tarrant County decided to end its contract prematurely, citing lack of communication from the facility regarding the violations. Officials in Harris County, on the other hand, continued their contract with the prison despite not being informed about the safety concerns.
The closure of the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility was announced by Tarrant County commissioners, who set the end date for September 30, coinciding with the shutdown of the facility. The decision to cease operations was influenced by the uncertain contract renewal talks with Harris County, as confirmed by Management & Training Corporation (MTC), the facility’s parent company. MTC spokesperson Emily Lawhead explained that the closure was a result of the end of Tarrant County’s contract and the ongoing discussions with Harris County to establish new partnerships that would justify the facility’s capacity.
Harris County has already started transferring inmates out of Dalby, with plans to complete the process by September 26, according to Harris County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Jason Spencer. Meanwhile, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office declined to disclose the number of individuals they have brought back from Dalby, citing security reasons and the need to maintain operational confidentiality.
Tarrant County had been sending local prisoners to Dalby due to safety renovations at their jail and persistent staffing issues. Over the years, the county had approved contracts totaling $40 million with the facility, providing 500 beds. Despite the closure, Tarrant County assured that they had sufficient capacity to accommodate the returning individuals from Dalby.
The closure of the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility not only impacts the inmates and the counties involved but also has significant implications for the local community in Garza County. As the largest employer in the area, the facility’s shutdown puts approximately 170 jobs at risk, according to Garza County Judge Lee Norman. Efforts are underway to find a new operator for the facility to address the county’s need for additional beds and maintain employment opportunities in the region.
In addition to serving as an overflow facility for Harris County, Dalby’s closure reflects broader challenges faced by the state in managing its jail populations. With Harris County signing a new outsourcing contract with Natchitoches Parish Detention Center in Louisiana, effective November 1, the impact of Dalby’s closure on the county’s operations is expected to be minimal, as stated by Spencer.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the regulatory agency overseeing county jails, will closely monitor the transition of inmates from Dalby to ensure that Tarrant and Harris counties do not exceed their staffing levels or capacity. Assistant Director Ricky Armstrong emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate population levels in accordance with the facilities’ capabilities.
As the closure of the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility approaches, the affected counties are working to ensure a smooth transition for the inmates and uphold the standards of care and supervision required in the correctional system. The implications of this closure extend beyond the immediate operational challenges, highlighting the complexities of managing inmate populations and the reliance on private prison facilities in the state.