This interview was recorded at the Henderson County Justice Center Wednesday, Aug. 10, with Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and Michael V. Hannigan.
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In this podcast episode, Sheriff Hillhouse talks about a federal jail inspection, a hay theft, purchasing a new building, and new locks, cameras, and intercoms for the jail.
I. Stats (:32)
Summary: There were 447 inmates in the jail at the time of this interview including 83 contract inmates. The jail is averaging 444 inmates daily for the year.
II. Federal Jail Inspection (1:23)
Summary: A U.S. Marshal was in Athens this week to conduct a federal jail inspection at the Sheriff's Office. This inspection is because of the contract inmates Henderson County keeps for the U.S. Marshal's Office.
Quote: "We get inspected by the state every year," said Sheriff Hillhouse, "but now since we house the federal inmates we also get inspected by the United States Marshals to make sure that we're staying within all their standards, which are actually more than the state standards. But everything went well with that inspection."
Remember: Of the 83 contract inmates currently in the jail, 75 of those are from the U.S. Marshal's Office.
III. Hay Theft (2:48)
Summary: Sheriff Hillhouse reported that about 20 round bales of hay were stolen in Eustace recently.
Quote: "Which is detrimental to somebody right now with the price of hay," said Sheriff Hillhouse. "I thought this may start happening and it has started happening so I just wanted to let folks know.
Remember: If you do have hay, do everything you can to protect it. If possible, make sure to get hay away from roads.
IV. Sheriff's Office to Buy Property (7:48)
Summary: Commissioners Court this week gave the Sheriff's Office permission to purchase a neighboring building that has been housing a bail bond company.
Quote: "Here in the main hallways of the Sheriff's Office we're running out of space," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "We need more office space and this was a cheaper route."
V. New Locks, Cameras for Jail (9:43)
Summary: Henderson County has entered into a contract with Sydaptic, Inc. to install a control system including door controls, sally port door controls, intercoms, video cameras, circuit boards, and backup batteries. The cost of the system will be about $675,000.
Quote: "It's been a good system," said Sheriff Hillhouse, "but it's not working like it needs to now and it needs to be replaced."
Remember: The Jail was opened in 2008, however, the hardware, cameras, and electronics were 20th-century designs from the start in order to save money. They are now antiquated.
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