NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas — The Nacogdoches County Jail has been cited for non-compliance issues in connection with exceeding the regulated housing capacity for the facility.
In a Jan. 15 report, Texas Commission on Jail Standards Texas Commission on Jail Standards Inspector Michael Gravitt said the Nacogdoches County Jail exceeded its rated housing capacity from Jan. 11 through 13.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges said the non-compliance report is a result of inmate overpopulation.
"This issue is really out of my control. Our numbers have been creeping up for some time now," Bridges said. "The maximum population of our jail is 292, and we're at 317 now."
He noted that multiple occupancy cells must contain two to eight bunks and at least 40 square feet of clear floor space for the first bunk.
There should be an additional 18 square feet of clear floor space for each additional bunk, the report stated. Each multiple occupancy cell needs to have one toilet and lavatory.
Dormitories can have nine to 48 bunks, and the dormitories must have at least 40 square feet of clear floor space for the first bunk plus 18 square feet of clear floor space for each additional bunk, according to the TCJS report.
Each dormitory needs to have adequate toilets, lavatories and may include showers, Gravitt wrote in his report.
Other East Texas jails that are listed on TCJS' non-compliant include Smith, Harrison and Marion counties. Once a jail becomes compliant again, the facility will no longer be listed on the TCJS website.
