County Jail Passes Inspection

Castro County Jail Passes Annual Inspection

By Neoma Williams

DIMMITT—Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera reports that the County Jail underwent an unannounced inspection on December 5. And, the Jail passed its inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

Areas inspected included Existing Construction, Life Safety, Admission, Release, Records/Procedures, Service, Discipline, Grievance, Exercise, Educationl/Library, Work Assignments, Telephone, Correspondence,  Commissary & Visitation and Religious Practices.

Only two technical assistance issues (Training and Inmate Disciplinary) were cited, and corrected on-site. Shane Sowell, inspector, said that everything “looked very good,” according to Rivera.

Rivera said, “I commend my jail personnel for their hard work and dedication in their efforts to maintain a safe and secure jail facility, which is in compliance with the minimum state jail standards. I also commend the Castro County Commissioners Court for its support in funding and maintaining the jail.”

The jail was built in 1971, according to Rivera, and built to house 18 inmates. The Jail is in continual use every day and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meeting with  Inspector Sowell were Sheriff Rivera, Jail Administrator Mary Ewing, Chief Deputy Miguel Pantoja and County Commissioners Tim Elliott (Precinct 2) and Michael Goolslby (Precinct 3).