BILL ANALYSIS
By: Turner
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Since 1983, the Commission on Jail Standards has maintained an established rule of an inmate supervision ratio of one (1) officer to forty-eight (48). This ratio has been incorporated as a mechanism to ensure that adequate levels of safety and security in a jail setting are obtained. When inadequate staffing ratios occur, working conditions for employees can become dangerous and stressful, thereby exacerbating employee turnover and ultimately creating liability issues for both employees and the county. House Bill 2244 establishes in statute an inmate supervision rate of (1) to forty-eight (48), thereby ensuring that inmates and employees work and live in a safe and secure environment.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 2244 amends the Local Government Code, by requiring the sheriff to ensure that: (1) at least one correctional officer is stationed on each floor of a county jail on which 10 or more prisoners are housed; (2) at least one correctional officer is stationed on each floor of the county jail for every 48 prisoners housed on the floor; and (3) sufficient supervisors and other essential personnel are present at the county jail to perform the functions required by the Commission on Jail Standards. HB 2244 requires the commissioners court to provide the sheriff with resources necessary to ensure that staffing requirements imposed by Subsection (a), Section 351.005, Local Government Code, are met.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.