NEW BOSTON, Texas - Since LaSalle Corrections is the only company to bid for the job of operating Bowie County's jails, the Commissioners Court will consider continuing the firm's contract.
The meeting, open to the public, is scheduled for 9 a.m. today at the Bowie County Courthouse in New Boston.
Last month, commissioners agreed to authorize Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell to negotiate terms contained in the firm's bid proposal submitted Nov. 25.
Earlier in November, commissioners sought bids from companies seeking to operate and manage both the county's Correctional Center and Bi-State Justice Building jail - but they received only one bid and that was from LaSalle.
LaSalle, a private company, has managed the BCCC and Bi-State jail since 2013. The company's contract comes up for renewal next month.
Under LaSalle's management of the two local jails, there have been four in-custody deaths since 2015. They are:
n Michael Sabbie, whose July 2015 death prompted a federal lawsuit. A settlement was reached in the case earlier this year.
n Morgan Angerbauer's July 2016 death, in which a federal civil case is ongoing.
n Franklin Greathouse's March 11 death.
n and Michael Rodden's July 6 death.
As of August, Bowie County was on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards' list of noncompliant jails.
Inspections in the last year have indicated failure to follow the instructions of doctors treating inmates, failure to maintain accurate medical records and face-to-face checks, and failure to consistently maintain correctional officer-to-inmate ratios. Some of LaSalle's employees were also found to have expired licenses.
Bowie County's maximum jail capacity for the Bi-State and annex was supposed to be lowered and capped earlier this month, if the jail was still deemed noncompliant.
When contacted last week, Howell said LaSalle officials told him that they agreed to hire at least 20 more employees to comply with state commission standards.
"We discussed a number of issues regarding staffing and medical record keeping," Howell said.
An employee supervisor for LaSalle was contracted Friday and said there were no company officials available for comment.
Bowie County Sheriff James Prince said he has always been pleased with LaSalle's performance.
"In terms of performance, I think that LaSalle has been the best corrections firm we have ever had," he said
Back in November, the lack of bids other than LaSalle's prompted Howell to appoint a six-member committee to study, research and review options regarding company bids. The members include Bowie County Auditor Jennifer Beckett, Prince, Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jeff Neal, 5th District Court Judge Bill Miller, Precinct 2 Commissioner Tom Whitten and 202nd District Court Judge John Tidwell.
The county's Correctional Center has 748 beds while the Bi-State Justice Building jail can hold up to 164 inmates.
In other business, commissioners will listen to a presentation regarding 2020 Census job openings.