History

Tarrant County Jail is a maximum-security facility located in Fort Worth, Texas. It is the largest jail in Tarrant County and houses approximately 3,000 inmates. The jail was built in 1985 and has been expanded several times since then.

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Early History

The first jail in Tarrant County was built in 1850. It was a small, two-room building that was located on the west side of Fort Worth. The jail was quickly overcrowded, and by 1860, it was clear that a new jail was needed.

In 1861, the county commissioners approved the construction of a new jail. The new jail was built on West 7th Street in Fort Worth and was completed in 1862. The jail was a two-story building with 32 cells. It was considered to be a modern facility at the time, and it was able to house more than 100 inmates.

The new jail was used for over 50 years. However, by the early 1900s, it was clear that a new jail was needed. The old jail was overcrowded and in poor condition.

Construction of Current Jail

In 1906, the county commissioners approved the construction of a new jail. The new jail was built on Belknap Street in Fort Worth and was completed in 1907. The jail was a four-story building with 256 cells. It was considered to be a state-of-the-art facility at the time.

The new jail was used for over 70 years. However, by the late 1970s, it was clear that a new jail was needed. The old jail was overcrowded and in poor condition.

In 1982, the county commissioners approved the construction of a new jail. The new jail was built on a 25-acre site in southeast Fort Worth and was completed in 1985. The jail is a maximum-security facility and houses approximately 3,000 inmates.

The new jail has been expanded several times since it was built. In 1990, a new wing was added to the jail. The wing added 768 new beds to the jail. In 2002, another new wing was added to the jail. The wing added 480 new beds to the jail.

Current Jail

The Tarrant County Jail is a maximum-security facility that houses approximately 3,000 inmates. The jail has a staff of over 1,000 employees. The jail is divided into several different housing units. The jail has a medical unit, a mental health unit, and a special needs unit.

The Tarrant County Jail is a safe and secure facility. The jail has a zero-tolerance policy for violence. The jail also has a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. The jail offers a variety of programs and services to inmates, including educational programs, vocational training programs, and substance abuse treatment programs.

The Tarrant County Jail is an important part of the criminal justice system in Tarrant County. The jail provides a safe and secure place to house inmates. The jail also offers a variety of programs and services to inmates to help them rehabilitate and become productive members of society.

Future of Tarrant County Jail

The Tarrant County Jail is currently facing a number of challenges. The jail is overcrowded and understaffed. The jail also needs to be updated and modernized.

In 2017, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a plan to build a new jail. The new jail is expected to be completed in 2023. The new jail will be located on a 60-acre site in southeast Fort Worth. The jail will have a capacity of 4,000 inmates.

The new jail is expected to cost approximately $500 million. The jail will be funded by a combination of property taxes and bonds.

The new jail is expected to alleviate the overcrowding at the current jail. The new jail will also provide more space for programs and services for inmates.

The new jail is a major investment in the criminal justice system in Tarrant County. The jail is expected to improve the safety and security of the community. The jail is also expected to provide more opportunities for inmates to rehabilitate and become productive members of society.

Controversies

The Tarrant County Jail has been the subject of several controversies over the years.

In 2012, the jail was sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for violating the rights of inmates with mental illness. The lawsuit alleged that the jail failed to provide adequate mental health care to inmates. The lawsuit was settled in 2015.

In 2017, the jail was sued by a group of inmates who alleged that they were subjected to excessive force by jail staff. The lawsuit is still pending.

The Tarrant County Jail has also been criticized for its high rate of recidivism. In 2016, the recidivism rate for the jail was 70%. This means that 70% of inmates released from the jail were arrested again within three years.

The Tarrant County Jail is a complex and challenging institution. The jail faces a number of challenges, including overcrowding, understaffing, and a high rate of recidivism. However, the jail is also an important part of the criminal justice system in Tarrant County. The jail provides a safe and secure place to house inmates. The jail also offers a variety of programs and services to inmates to help them rehabilitate and become productive members of society.