Texas jails create many contracting opportunities

TEXAS – Contracting opportunities related to jail and public safety facilities will be plentiful in Texas in the near future. New oil drilling in the state has resulted in a booming population increase; and with that, has brought an exponential increase in jail occupancy across the state.

Contracting opportunities will include new construction, renovation, upgrades, technology, food service, surveillance equipment, telecommunications and energy savings solutions.

A growing issue for local governments is that the jail facilities needs major renovation and it cannot function efficiently or economically.

In El Paso County, local officials estimate that the main jail will need between $3 million and $5 million in repairs in the next three years. Replacing aging plumbing and electrical systems could cost another $30 million over the next decade.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards reports that a 384-bed addition to the Denton County jail is currently under construction, as is a similar 300-plus bed addition to Smith County’s jail. Also under construction are new jails in Walker and Wheeler counties.