Potter County commissioners on Monday opted to table a proposed inmate housing agreement with Haskell County after concerns over immediate costs and current jail capacity levels.
Under the proposed arrangement, a Haskell County operator would have provided up to 50 beds exclusively for Potter County inmates at a daily per diem rate of $98.50 per inmate. The agreement also included weekly transport services for inmates eligible for transfer to Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, with those transportation costs bundled into the daily rate.
County officials noted the contract was designed to reduce reliance on multiple external jail contracts and temporarily ease pressure on the Potter County detention center, allowing time for maintenance and operational improvements.
However, concerns were raised about the financial impact of activating the agreement immediately upon signing. Commissioners were told that committing to the full 50-bed allocation would result in costs approaching nearly $5,000 per day, regardless of actual need at the time.
Current jail population data indicated that Potter County’s detention center, which has a capacity of 599 beds, is housing 531 inmates. Only six inmates are currently being held in other counties, a significant reduction from earlier periods when 30 to 40 inmates were outsourced and up to 50 were awaiting transfer to state facilities.
Officials emphasized that the agreement was originally explored during a period of higher inmate overflow, but the present population levels do not justify the immediate financial commitment.
Commissioners ultimately decided to postpone action on the agreement, leaving it open for reconsideration should future jail population pressures increase.
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