The Orange County jail, which was damaged in Hurricane Rita, remains uninhabitable, according to a Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspection this month.
The jail failed a Nov. 21 inspection, so about 120 inmates housed in Dallas, Angelina and Harris counties will remain in the alternative facilities until the jail passes inspection, Orange County spokesman James Lucia said in a telephone interview Thursday.
Housing the inmates costs at least $3,000 a day, which the federal government is expected to pay, Sheriff Mike White has said.
Inspector George Johnson noted in a written review that the smoke and fume system, which ventilates the jail, did not come on in several areas. That was likely why the fire alarm control panel stayed in trouble mode after staff tried to reset the system, Lucia said.
Also, 11 night lights, 13 shower heads and the intercom system failed inspection, Johnson reported.
To pass inspection, Orange County must have the fire marshal, health inspector and a mold expert OK the facility. The health inspector will examine the water supply and kitchen.
Lucia did not know when the next inspection would take place. He worried repairs would take longer than usual because skilled workers like plumbers and electricians are difficult to find now.
Since the jail has been closed, law enforcement officers have had few spots to house criminals so arrests are way down. They look forward to the jail passing inspection.
"We want the jail open more than anybody," Lucia said.
By: JAMIE REID , The Enterprise
