10.03.07

Put On The Brakes, T. Don Hutto Not Closing In A Year

Posted in Commentary, Commissioners Court, T. Don Hutto, Williamson County at 3:39 pm by wcnews

The RRL has an article about yesterday’s action regarding T. Don Hutto (TDH) that helps EOW understand a little more about what’s at play here. Here’s the article, Wilco may sever T. Don ties. Two things about that title, (1) the word may is used which means they “may not”, and (2) it says ties may be severed not that T. Don Hutto is closing.

The T. Don Hutto holding facility for undocumented immigrants isn’t going away, as protestors want it to, but it looks like Williamson County government will sever ties with the modified jail on Oct. 2, 2008.

Commissioners stated its legal liability – not politics – drove their decision..

Not closing, it just may not be the county’s problem anymore. Makes EOW wonder what would have to occur for that to change? Let’s keep reading.

“I think it’s better for us to be out of the middle,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman of Brushy Creek said. “If the federal government wants to run the facility, that’s their right.”

[...]

County Judge Dan Gattis said he and Hawes have had several discussions regarding the county’s legal exposure at T. Don Hutto.

[Assistant County Attorney Hal] Hawes said Williamson County’s thinking is this: Since county officials don’t know much about how a federal detention facility ought to be run – and since anybody can sue anybody – maybe Wilco’s risk isn’t worth the $16,000 it makes every month off the relationship.

“We want to see [T. Don Hutto] continue,” Gattis said. “But it is our job to take care of Williamson County.”

“This is one of those contracts and projects that we inherited and are trying to grapple with,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long of Cedar Park said.

Another “Limmer Lemon” the current court was left to deal with. But let’s not forget it was this court that voted earlier this year on renew the contract with CCA that they’ve now decided to end just before next year’s election. They’re also making in perfectly clear that they have no problem with the facility or what’s being done there. Gattis’ comments make it seem like the county could be taken care of, so to speak. Which makes EOW think that if CCA was to take the whole liability burden away from the county, then the contract would be able to continue with the county as the “middle man”.

In one of the many posts here at EOW on TDH a question was asked of the two GOP candidates for the Pct. 1 Commissioners seat, “Is $1/inmate/day worth this? What do you say Mrs. Birkman, Mr. Laukhuf?” Only Mr. Laukhuf responded and here’s what he said.

I for one am deeply concerned about T. Don Hutto, and it’s effects on our county resources. For the past 10 years I have held a Texas Peace Officer License. All Law Enforcement deserve our respect, our support, and the resources necessary to provide security for ALL our citizens. $1/inmate/day doesn’t provide much in regards to the above.

Which leads EOW to believe that there’s battle going on between GOP candidates about the share of CCA’s money the county is getting, or not getting as the case may be. The GOP candidates are making a campaign issue out of what a bad financial deal this is, nothing else. It’s as if Birkman believes if the court is able to get more money our of CCA it will blunt right-wing criticism of her regarding TDH and bolster her campaign. In essence the only problem Republicans see with this deal is that the county is being shafted financially. Not moral or human rights qualms, human dignity or anything like that. Show them the money CCA and the contract will, more than likely, continue.

The RRL goes on to describe Rep. John Carter as being instrumental in “..paving the way for the facility’s present use.” They also detail the mere pittance the county is receiving per month ($15,872 at capacity), which pales in comparison to the $2.8 million that CCA receives on a monthly basis. Despite citizens concerns about imprisoning families no matter who the “middle man” is the county still supports what the facility does.

The center has been picketed several times and last month a federal judge in Austin sided with a civil rights group that had filed a lawsuit, regarding living conditions for children. Initially, 10 children were named in the lawsuit. Their countries of origin include Haiti, Honduras, Lithuania and Somalia. Illegal immigrants from Mexico have typically been detained at facilities closer to the U.S./Mexico border.

On Tuesday, Jane Van Pragg of Bartlett spoke out against T. Don Hutto.

“I continue to protest against the contract you have with T. Don Hutto …. that incarcerates children and some of their parents … I want it closed,” she said.

But commissioners defended the federal government’s policies in general and the T. Don Hutto facility in particular.

It ends with this erroneous statement by Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long of Cedar Park.

“The other option – if we are gong to detain the parents and not the children with them – is to put them into foster care. I think that is much more damaging.”

The case has been made, over and over again, that the least expensive and most humane alternative would be to use ankle bracelets for the families. She can try and rationalize this however she wants but if Commissioner Long isn’t aware of ALL the alternatives it’s way past time for her to become informed on this issue.

Odds are that if the county can’t be finagled into a more lucrative deal with CCA and the prison stays open it will be up to the City of Taylor or the state to become the new “middle man”. Looking over the TDP wrap-up article on this issue, it appears that Taylor is being non-committal, at this point, regarding what they’ll do.

Taylor City Manager Frank Salvato said the city has not yet considered taking over the lease for CCA and will have to discuss the option further when the time comes.

If Taylor declines the contract it will be up to the state of Texas to take over the leas

It also appears that the commissioners blind-sided CCA with their actions.

CCA spokesman Steve Owen said they are still unclear why the county chose to end their contract.

“This was not something we anticipated, and we were not given any notice in advance,” he said.

the final vote will be at next Tuesday’s meeting. We’ll just have to wait and see until then if it becomes “did sever ties”, or CCA makes a them an offer they can’t refuse.

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