Defender Network: Has anything changed in Harris County Jail? 8 things you need to know

Has the new year brought with it new realities to the Harris County Jail (HCJ)? According to some state officials and criminal justice reform advocates, no; 2024 has thus far offered more of the same.

And that can’t be good. Because since 2022, Harris County Jail has made national news with its myriad of issues, including a record number of in-custody deaths. And even though 2023 saw millions of dollars directed to the jail, issues of beatings, “band-aid” fixes, a lack of public transparency, and a rising death toll, remain.

A 2020 Justice Management Institute report called for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to make “uncomfortable, but necessary changes” by dismissing “all non-violent felony cases older than nine months.” The goal: alleviating the growing number of pending cases.

Krishnaveni Gundu, the executive director of Texas Jail Project, cited that report when calling for the same thing: for county officials to lower the jail population by dismissing nonviolent low-level charges.

The sheriff’s office is hopeful that the cameras “will promote public trust through greater transparency.” But Gundu says they shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for more public trust.

“What is the point of these other body cameras that you’re going to start using? We can’t trust you to release what you already have,” added Gundu.