June 25, 2008
Deputies come out in force against proposal to privatize the jail
Uniformed county officers filled the seats and lined the walls of the small McLennan County Commissioners Court room Tuesday. They turned out in force to let commissioners know they are staunchly against privatizing the county jail on State Highway 6.
The county is weighing several options to stem overcrowding in its jail under pressure from state regulators. Building a new, larger jail on Highway 6 and privatizing its management is one idea on the table.
Officer Ricky Armstrong, one of roughly 60 officers at the meeting, listed his concerns, including public safety. County officers have had to respond to trouble at the privately run downtown jail before, he said. If the State Highway 6 jail also gets privatized, who will be there to step in and help the downtown jail when things get out of hand again, he asked….
LINK - WacoTrib.com (The Waco Tribune)
