Houston Public MediaAug 20, 2025

Harris County leaders plan to end a contract to outsource jail inmates to a private facility in Mississippi later this year, potentially shaving more than $4 million off the county's outsourcing costs.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/criminal-justice/2025/08/20/528904/harris-county-expected-to-end-mississippi-outsourcing-contract-this-year-saving-at-least-4-million/

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Harris County expected to end Mississippi jail outsourcing contract this year, saving at least $4 million

In initial 2025-2026 budget projections, county officials said they expect to lower outsourcing costs by several million dollars as the population at the Harris County Jail has seen a significant dip this year — about 1,200 fewer inmates since early February.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaJul 3, 2025

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she wasn't permitted to bring security detail on her recent trade mission to Paris, which she funded with money from her campaign. She said security should be a priority in the county's budget. 

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/harris-county/2025/07/03/525479/harris-county-judge-lina-hidalgo-comments-on-paris-trip-security-detail-jail-deaths/

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Lina Hidalgo discusses denial of security detail for Paris trip, jail deaths, Harris County budget deficit

During a wide-ranging interview on Houston Matters, Hidalgo declined to say whether she'll seek a third term, adding that a decision is "coming soon."

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaJun 30, 2025

Family members and friends are demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding Ronald Pate's sudden death inside of the Harris County Jail last week.  

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/criminal-justice/2025/06/30/525272/family-friends-of-harris-county-jail-inmate-ronald-pate-demand-answers-about-his-death/

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Family, friends of Harris County Jail inmate Ronald Pate demand answers about his death

Pate, 35, was among three jail inmates who died within a 48-hour span last week. There have been a total of 10 in-custody jail deaths this year as reported by the Harris County Sheriff's Office, which operates the downtown Houston jail.

Houston Public Media