Jail re-inspected,found to be in compliance

Representatives of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards re-inspected the Polk County Jail on June 26 and found it to be in compliance with Texas Minimum Jail Standards.

“I am very proud of my staff for all of the hard work put forward during this time,” Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said.

The “administrative re-inspection” came on the heels of a surprise visit and comprehensive inspection on May 20 that resulted in a notice of non-compliance for the local jail, citing three deficiencies – magistrates notification were exceeding the 12-hour requirement; staff exceeded the 15-minute requirement to observe and document inmates in restraints by 20 to 45 minutes; and staffing records indicating that the minimum standards of one to 48 ratio was unmet.

Following the May 20 visit, Lyons responded to the commission’s inspection, sent them a reply and conducted additional training. The staffing shortage is not anything new, having been a problem for several years and not just in Polk County, but all over the state.