The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has officially requested the Texas Attorney General’s intervention to enforce compliance at Harris County Jail, which has repeatedly failed to meet state-mandated safety and operational standards.

This decision marks a major escalation in the state’s efforts to address ongoing issues in Texas’s largest jail facility.

The Harris County Jail has been under scrutiny for over a year due to overcrowding, understaffing, and failure to meet inmate supervision requirements. Despite attempts to fix these issues, the jail has continued to struggle, leading to concerns over inmate safety, staff security, and overall jail conditions.

Why the Attorney General is Getting Involved

Harris County Jail has been out of compliance with state jail standards since May 2023. The TCJS issued a remedial order requiring the jail to make improvements, particularly in maintaining the required staffing ratio of one officer per 48 inmates and ensuring face-to-face inmate supervision.

While the jail made temporary progress by hiring more detention officers and transferring inmates to private facilities in Mississippi and Louisiana, a new notice of non-compliance was issued in January 2025. This followed three inmate deaths in December 2024, at least one of which was linked to lapses in required supervision.

Brandon Wood, executive director of TCJS, emphasized that after multiple warnings, it was time for stronger action.

“I need to have them comply with minimum jail standards… to enforce the safety and security of the staff that work there and the inmates that are housed there,” Wood stated.

Harris County Jail’s Ongoing Challenges

Harris County Jail currently holds over 9,800 inmates, surpassing its official capacity of 9,400. Many detainees have been awaiting trial for extended periods due to a backlog of cases, with the average inmate stay exceeding 180 days—six times longer than the state average.

Additionally, around 350 inmates remain in custody while waiting for mental health treatment at state hospitals, further increasing the strain on jail resources.

Potential Legal Action Against Harris County

The involvement of the Texas Attorney General could lead to legal action against Harris County to enforce compliance. Previous state interventions in counties like Calhoun and Howard have resulted in jail closures, while Webb County was placed under a strict compliance program.

This raises questions about the future of Harris County Jail and whether the facility may face similar consequences if improvements are not made soon.

Community and Advocacy Reactions

Advocacy groups have welcomed the attorney general’s involvement, but some believe the action is long overdue.

Krish Gundu, executive director of the Texas Jail Project, said that stronger enforcement should have come sooner, before multiple inmate deaths occurred.

“This should have happened sooner, before we had all these deaths, especially the out-of-state custody deaths,” she said.

Since late 2023, at least three Harris County inmates have died while awaiting trial in out-of-state jails. Meanwhile, three additional inmates have died in Harris County’s Houston facilities in 2025 alone, following 10 reported deaths in custody in 2024.

What Happens Next?

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has not yet announced the specific legal actions it will take. However, possible next steps include:

Filing a lawsuit against Harris County to force compliance with state jail standards.

Placing the jail under a stricter oversight program.

Implementing corrective measures to prevent further violations.

The situation remains fluid, with state officials and local leaders closely monitoring developments. If significant improvements are not made, Harris County Jail could face even harsher consequences in the near future.