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# TheAttorney General ofTexas December 27. 1984 JIMMATTOX **Attorney** General

**Supreme Court** **Building P.** **0. Box** **12546 Austin.** **TX. 7671%** **2546 5121475-2501**  **Telex 910167~1367**  **Telecopier 51214750286** 

**714 Jackson.** **Suite 700**  **Dallas. TX.**  **75202.4506 2141742-6944** 

**4624**Alberla

Ave.,SUiN160 **El Paso.** **TX. 789052793**  **915l533.3464**

**1001 Texas.** **Suite 7OO**  **Houston. TX.**  **77OO2~3111 713l223566a** 

**806 Broadway.** **SuiN 312**  **Lubbock. TX.** **79401.3479 8061747.5236** 

**4309 N.** **Temh. Suite** **S McAllan.** **TX. 76501.1665**  **5121662.4547 xx)**  **Main Plaza.** **Suile 4W**  **San Anlonio.**  **TX. 762052797**  **512f2254191**

**An Equal** **Opporfunityl** Aflirmative Action EmplOW Mr. Robert 0. Vi(.erna Executive Direct<11 Texas Cozmnission cmn Jail Standards P. 0. Box 12985 Austin, Texas ie711 Re: Authority of the Texas Conrmission on Jail Standards to perform an occupancy inspection of jail facilities in **a project**  built pursuant to ar~ticle 237Oc-3, V.T.C.S. Dear Mr. Viternn: You have asked the following three **questions** about your authority under article 51:.5.1, V.T.C.S., with regard to the jail facilities in **a project**  authorj.zed by article 237Oc-3, V.T.C.S.:

1. P:ay the Texas Commission on Jail Standards perform **an occupancy**  **inspection** of the facility? Rule 217.04.00.007 of the Texas Commission on Jail Standa1,d.s. 2. If the jail complies with stsndards, may the Texas' Commission on Jail Standards authorize Bowie County to **occupy** the jail and house Texas inmates; therein? Rule 217.04.00.009 of the Texas Commisc~lon on Jail Standards. 3. Finally, If the jail is occupied, does the Texas Commission on Jail Standards have authority to inspect the jail yearly for compliance with Texas rlinimumjail standards? Rule 217.25.00.011 of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. These rules are promulgated under sections 9and 11 of article 5115.1, V.T.C.S., which XJthorize the inspection of county jails to enforce minimumjail star,dards. The project in question involves a jail in a "justfce center" built. with the 8:ooperation of the federal LawEnforcement Assistance administrators, 2:~: authorities, well as of Arkansas **and** Texas county and municipal

on ,:he state line in Texarkana. Texas and Arkansas., and Bowie **County. Texas.**  **and** Miller County, Arkansas. The **gravamen** of

p. 1213Mr. Robert 0. Viterna - Page 2: (JM-272)

your request is whether the Texas Cowission on Jail Standards may **carry** out its duties and re:,ponsibilities under sections 9 and 11 of article 5115.1 **in** a jail facility not wholly located in Texas. We **answer** all three questions *I the affirmative. Section 2(3) of article 5115.1 defines a county jail as “any jail. lockup, or other f;tc:ility that is operated by or for a county. . . .” (Emphasis added). Section 2(a)(2) of article 237Oc-3 authorizes the creation of the “ jail, lockup. and other detention facilities” that have been created in the subject “ justice center” for Bowie County, Texas. Attorney General Opinions MW-328 (1981) and MW-559 (1982) clearly affirmed the Jail Standards Commission’s statutory authority “to rel;ulate the conditions of confinement for inmates in s county’s custo&y wherever **they** are confined.” Attorney General Opinion MW-559. (Emphasis added). While article 237Oc-3. section 2, authorizes the respective counties and municipalities in Texas and the adjoining state to contract for the “construction.
.’
. . operation, and management” of the jail in the state line justice center, section 9also limits such county and municipality in Texas to contracting for such purposes
“only if the other stsl’e enacts legislation relating to the establishment of ajustjce :enter pursuant to a contract. . . .I’ The act further provides that

Sec. 4. The contracting parties mayspecify in the contract the uanner of determining the persons responsible for: (1) the operation, alteration, maintenance, cleaning, and repair 

### of the facilities: (2) the emplo:nnent of center personnel; (3) the purchase of materials. supplies, tools. and other equipment to be jointly used by offlees provided or used by the contracting parties; (4) preparing reports to the governing bodies 

### of the contracting parties: (5) joint res:ord-keeping, communicarions, or dispatch systems; and (6) the perf>,rmance of any other powers or duties relating to operation of the center.

p. 1214Mr. Robert 0. Virerna - Page 3 (JM-272)

If the state of Arkansas, has enacted legislation consistent with section 9 of article 2370'2-3 and the respective counties and cities have contracted in accord with sections 2 and 4 thereof, we conclude that the holdings of MU-324 and NW-559 apply to the regulations about which you inquire.
SUMMARY

If the state of Arkansas has enacted appropriate legislation and the counties and cities affected have contracted as mandated, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards mayperform an initial occupancy inspection of, mayallow Bowie County to use, a:rdmaythereafter annually inspect the jail facilitLes housed in the "justice center" built pursuant t,) article 237Oc-3.



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MATTOX Attorney General of Texas TOMGREEN First Assistant Attorney Ge,neral DAVIDR. RICHARDS Executive Assistant Attorne~y General RICKGILPIN Chairman, Opinion Connnittee Prepared by Colin Carl Assistant Attorney General APPROVED: OPINIONCOMMITTEE Rick Gilpin, Chairman Colin Carl Susan Garrison Tony Guillory Jim Eloellinger Jennifer Riggs Bruce Youngblood

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