US EditionTexas Jails Aren’t Meeting Deadlines to Free Inmates, Costing some Counties Thousands in Settlements
Delays in sending pen packets to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have caused over-detention, leading to costly lawsuits and a $1.5 million settlement in Smith County.
- Texas county jails are failing to release inmates on time after their sentences are complete, resulting in over-detentions and costing counties thousands in settlements.
- Counties often delay sending release documents called "pen packets" to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, causing inmates to stay jailed longer than legally allowed.
- Without state oversight, over-detention victims must resort to lawsuits for compensation, such as a $1.5 million settlement against Smith County for over 100 inmates held too long.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Texas jails aren’t meeting deadlines to free inmates, costing some counties thousands in settlements - The Morning Sun
Jessica Jackson was supposed to be released from Dallas County jail in time for the holidays last year. She was arrested in early December for misdemeanor drug possession and violating parole, but was credited time for two years she’d already served on a previous aggravated robbery sentence. With the credits, Jackson was eligible for release on Dec. 19, when a judge ruled she had no time left to serve. But, Christmas passed, then New Year’s, and…
Tom Green County Inmate Held 17 Days Past Release Date
SAN ANGELO, TX - A West Texas defense attorney had to file a motion and threaten to subpoena three county employees before her client was finally released, 17 days after a judge ordered him free.The case is not unique.A new investigation by The Texas Tribune found that Texas county jails are regularly holding people weeks or even months past their court-ordered release dates because of delays in sending required “pen packets” to the state. No st…
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