Southeast Sherman residents are concerned about the negative impact a proposed 1,500 bed for-profit correctional facility would have on their neighborhood. Alternatives to placing the proposed jail in a residential/rural neighborhood can be summed up as follows:
Relocate the jail to the North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field.
This would be the most logical choice since this area is already devoted to industrial and correctional activities. Consider several factors that make this choice more viable than the SE Sherman location.
Improved transportation access: Highways 1417, 691, and the new 289 extension, not to mention a 9,000 ft. runway, are much more efficient than a dangerous highway intersection (Ida Road and Hwy 11). Concerns that the airport location would incur additional costs seem moot since inmates will have to be transported by secure vehicles from ANY site other than the existing downtown facility.
The airport is already devoted to industrial activity. The airport has been promoted as an area that has great industrial development potential so why not use it? If utility improvements were required they would be made in an area that would benefit other industrial users. Lighting and noise issues here would not have the same impact as they would in a rural/suburban setting.
The Grayson County Juvenile Detention Center is already located at this site. The appropriateness of the airport for correctional use has already been established.
Build next to the existing downtown Sherman jail.
Per the Grayson County Comprehensive Correctional Needs Assessment, Track D Operational and Architectural Program Final (see report then scroll to page 179), the area occupied by the current jail, would be converted into an expanded jail facility located next to the Grayson County Justice Center and the court house. This would involve virtually no prisoner transport problems and would not require the relocation of inmates during construction. Since this area is already occupied by the current county jail, environmental and drainage concerns have already been addressed, unlike the proposed site in southeast Sherman. Critics who compare the flight of lawyers offices from downtown McKinney usually don’t take into consideration that the court facility itself has moved from downtown. Downtown Sherman’s business base is primarily lawyers offices and banking, with some retail and restaurants. It seems unlikely that lawyers would substantially relocate unless the court facilities themselves were moved. This option would, however, require the acquisition of property west towards Rusk St. which would force the relocation of several homes and businesses. Finally, this option would keep the jail in downtown Sherman as desired by city officials.
Don’t build a jail at all.
Although not the focus of this blog, the question of whether a new jail is necessary should be debated. Many question the need of replacing a structure that is only two decades old with an expensive, privately run facility. The Grayson County Comprehensive Correctional Needs Assessment, Final Track A/B Report suggests that the number of inmates is not proportional to the county population or crime rate, and that improved methods of getting inmates to trial faster would reduce the need for larger facilities. Additionally, many wonder if an issue involving such expense and contractual obligations shouldn’t be put to a public vote via bond elections. Having a for-profit private correctional firm operating the county jail also brings up concerns over accountability and transparency.
