REAGAN COUNTY, TX (KWES) - On Wednesday, Reagan County Sheriff Jeff Garner talked about the possibility of his jail reopening to help the overcrowding issue at Ector County. Looking to clear one final hurdle, the Reagan County jail will look to open for the first time since they closed their doors almost four years ago.
"As soon as both counties approve the housing agreement, then we will have everything in place to move forward with reopening my jail," said Garner.
Garner said the CEC, a management company overseeing his jail also has ties to Ector County. The Reagan County jail has 96 beds and with the inmates from Ector County the jail would be up to standard.
"If Ector County will try to keep us with about 85 inmates a day, plus our inmates we should be around that number so we'll be in good shape," said Garner.
Garner added if there was ever an issue the Reagan County inmates will take precedent. He said there are some factors causing jails to get overcrowded.
"When there is more people, there is more crime. The other factor has to do with the drop in the oilfield. When people lose jobs, when things start getting tough you generally see crime increase," said Garner.
Garner says if the agreement passes he expects inmates to start getting placed in the Reagan County jail by September.
