Crime

Dallas County Gets the OK to Move More Than 900 Beds Back Into Lew Sterrett North Tower

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Feb. 3 2011 at 3:31 PM
Categories: Crime
Decker.jpg
Via.
The Decker jail way before it was the Decker jail
​Last month, Dallas County officials -- chief among them, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins -- went down to Austin to ask the Texas Commission on Jail Standards if it'd be OK to add 928 additional beds in the Lew Sterrett North Tower, so-called "variance beds" intended to relieve congestion in the old, rundown Decker Detention Center on Stemmons. Also, Jenkins insisted, giving Sheriff Lupe Valdez those beds would save the county some $1.7 million annually -- since it'd be more efficient to have everyone in the same jail. (The county's been trying to shutter Decker for years.)

The state agreed: Jenkins' office sends word that the TCJS has OK'd moving those beds back in the Sterrett tower. Which means, per the county's release, Valdez can "depopulate the Decker jail within the month and streamline her staff to effectuate the cost savings." The county commissioners will receive a full briefing on today's decision at Tuesday's meeting.

But before then, Jenkins' office sent a release moments ago filled with huzzahs from Valdez and John Wiley Price. The former says, "In his short time in office, Judge Jenkins has already been working on our behalf in Austin to restore these much needed beds" and that "his leadership on this issue was critical to our request and subsequent approval"; the latter, "In order to manage our justice system, it is imperative that we have this facility fully operational." Jenkins -- "still recovering from surgery in Parkland Hospital after yesterday's fall on the ice,'' says the announcement -- is both "elated" and "thrilled."
Email to Friend
Print Article

We Recommend

My Voice Nation Help
4 comments
  Livefyre
Sort: Newest | Oldest
Bob
Bob

He's so successful, I can hardly wait to see how well the spring elections go off in light of his gutting of Bruce Sherbet.

Downtown_worker
Downtown_worker

Thank GOD; now we can finally build a boutique hotel for visitors of the Design District and people wanting to take the Continental Ave. Pedestrian Bridgepark to La Bajada.

Lakewooder
Lakewooder

Mighty kind of JWP to give his lapdog a reacharound.

Jay D
Jay D

Has Lupe been asked to resign yet?

VOICE Daily Deals

Slideshows»

Retail

General

More >>
©2013 Dallas Observer, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Dallas / Fort Worth

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city