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Dallas County DA blames software for jail overcrowding
Due to an inefficient software system that prevents the timely release of inmates, the Dallas County Jail has reached a crisis capacity, housing over 7,000 people.
DALLAS - The Dallas County Jail hit a crisis capacity level this week and officials are working to figure out how to make room for more than 7,000 inmates.
But county officials say the crowding problem lies with the county's inefficient software implementation.
County commissioner gets 70 cells back
Local perspective:
As Dallas County hit the unfortunate milestone of more than 7,000 inmates this week. Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price says the county was able to bring 70 cells back online.
"We're in trouble. We are doing everything we can, Sheriff and I did a walk through yesterday. We have challenges," said Price.
"We went into cells that had been mothballed for the last 10 years."
Other cells with mold are getting cleaned up according to Price.
"Contacted facilities and facilities immediately moved," he said.
Implementation software
What they're saying:
Dallas County district attorney John Creuzot says people are staying in the Dallas County jail longer than needed because the county's software implementation is likely the most inefficient in the state.
He says the problem dates back to when the system was rolled out two years ago, as judgments and sentences for a person don't automatically transfer to the jail.
"It was poorly integrated into the current system. In fact, I think the old system was turned off, and this one was turned on," said Creuzot.
"...So, in 2025, we're hand-carrying documents from one office to another in the same building. And that's just unacceptable."
The other side:
Sheriff Marian Brown responded to the concerns from county officials by calling some of the information inaccurate. Her statement reads, in part:
"It is unknown who decided that the number 7124 was the 100% mark for jail capacity. With the inclusion of portable beds obtained via a variance from the State, total jail capacity is 7364, as confirmed by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards’ 2024 inspection. However, once that number was broadcast, it was further spread without verification.
The Sheriff’s department continues to manage the increasing jail population. We continue to work with our criminal justice partners, including the District Attorney’s Office, The Judiciary, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and local law enforcement agencies. In addition, we continue discussions related to alternative housing, in the event the surge in population dictates the need for such."
Dig deeper:
Cruezot also added that the glitch causes cases to sit in limbo. Stating the system is cumbersome and inaccurate.
"The person has been charged, they may or may not have a lawyer, but they're not on the docket, which means I can't dispose of the case. There's nothing I can do. And so, all of those cases get hung up,’ he said.
"But all this slow evolution of a judgment to get there and get the person out of the jail is way too long. These things should be happening quickly."
He says it is keeping people in jail sometimes months past their release date.
"And they're coming back and getting financial rewards from the county for keeping them in there too long, so that's not doing the taxpayers any good."
Creuzot agreed that more efficiency could lead to a solution to the jail overcrowding.
"Absolutely, yeah," he said.
"And my understanding is that we may be the least efficient county in the state."
What's next:
Creuzot says he and his staff discussed a pilot program to create judgements and sentences for judges to sign at the hearing, to avoid some of the software delays.
But he says that is just a Band-Aid to a much larger problem.
The Source: Information in this article was provided from an interview conducted by FOX 4's Lori Brown.