Hidalgo: Major expansion of inmate program 'is one step forward' in addressing jail overcrowding

Harris County leaders announced plans to address overcrowding at the Harris County Jail on Thursday, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets. 

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that among these plans is a major expansion of the jail competency restoration program, which was recently approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tweeted the expansion will see to it that hundreds of inmates appear before a judge. 

“We’ve all heard the Harris County jail is Texas’ largest provider of mental health services,” Hidalgo said in the tweet. “This is one step forward in changing that.” 

A press release obtained by KPRC said the program will help individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the program will commence in April. Harris County has grappled with a slew of in-jail custody deaths. 

According to the station, Hidalgo, a Democrat, said the county isn’t done addressing challenges “at each level” of the entire jail system. 

"The jail population has increased, and you would think that would explain why jail deaths have increased, but the truth of the matter is that jail deaths have increased disproportionately to the increase in the population," the county judge said, KTRK reported.

Citing KPRC, Houston Daily reported on Wednesday attorney Robin Foster with the Harris County Deputies Organization asserted a lack of resources is to blame for the inmates’ deaths. 

The publication reported that Foster’s comments came after a manslaughter charge was issued in the February 2021 death of 23-year-old Jaquaree Simmons, who was booked into the jail for allegedly possessing a weapon. 

Detention officer Eric Morales is the first to be charged as he’s accused of delivering blows to Simmons’ head, from which the inmate perished, during an altercation in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri. 

KTRK reported that a group of surviving relatives of inmates who perished at the jail went to Austin on Wednesday to push for answers from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS).