Hays County Commissioners Court members unanimously approved the interlocal agreement at a July 8 meeting.
The details
There are currently 200 Hays County inmates housed at the Rolling Plains Detention Center, 118 County Road 206, Haskell, managed by LaSalle Corrections West. The facility, which also operates as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, is almost five hours away from Hays County.
The LaSalle Corrections site will temporarily house the inmates, then will transport them to the Hays County jail in increments over the course of about a year and a half, according to agenda documents.
LaSalle will conduct a minimum of one round trip per week from the facility to the Hays County jail. The trips do not require a minimum amount of inmates to be transported per trip.
The contract agreement begins Oct. 1 and lasts through April 1, 2027. Throughout the contract term, Hays County is able to reduce the number of beds needed for inmates at LaSalle. If the county is able to reduce the number of beds to zero after Oct. 1, 2026, and prior to April 1, 2027, the agreement will automatically terminate, according to the contract document.
According to the agreement, Hays County officials will aim to get 100 inmates back to the county jail by Oct. 1, 2026. Hays County Chief Deputy Brett Bailey said the county jail should be prepared for the inmates to come back as the department has been hiring additional staff and renovations at the site.
What people are saying
A number of community members spoke during public comment in opposition of the contract.
Myles Martin, a member of Mano Amiga and who was formerly incarcerated in Hays County, spoke about his experience being transported to various counties throughout his incarceration.
He said being incarcerated and having to move to different facilities across Texas was difficult on both him and his family members as he was unable to call them. He said he was also uprooted from the community he made in jail because of the continuous moves.
“I think the Haskell County contract is not only detrimental to justice but also a burden on the families at home who go through the emotional turmoil,” he said during public comment.
He said many inmates will face the emotional and physical trauma of incarceration despite being unjustly incarcerated and later found innocent.
“Some people may think these people are criminals. Why should it matter?” he said. “I am here to inform the court that not all of these people are criminals, and I am living proof of that. In 2022, after three years of blood, fear and tears, I was found not guilty.”
Other community members were concerned about inspections and said the facility would not have as much oversight due to its location away from Hays County.
Hays County Chief Deputy Brett Bailey said inspections would be conducted, but notice to LaSalle is part of the contract. It is unclear how much advance notice Hays County would be required to give LaSalle.
Hays County community member Eric Martinez said too much advanced notice could give the facility the opportunity to “tidy things up” before inspection.
“People are going to be on their best behavior, and [the inspectors] will be given the best version of the tour,” he said. “You don’t want to catch people on their best day, you want to catch people on their normal day.”
Joseph Wilburn, a former corrections officer, said transportation operations could be dangerous for both inmates and jail staff due to potential rioting during transportation.
Commissioner Debbie Gonzales-Ingalsbe, who sponsored the item, said the contract would be a pathway to bring Hays County inmates closer to their families.
“I felt that we were moving forward with a plan to fulfill our goal and commitment to bringing our inmates back to Hays County so, as many stated, could be closer to their families, loved ones and legal support system that they need,” she said at the July 8 meeting. “I am sensitive to the concerns, but I do want to bring our inmates home.”
What else?
The contract will cost over $3.2 million total for fiscal year 2025-26, plus additional costs for additional inmates as needed at $102.50. Fiscal year 2026-27 will cost an estimated $932,750.
What’s next?
Now approved, the contract will go into effect Oct. 1, 2025, for LaSalle to begin the process of transporting inmates to the Hays County jail.
