The Idaho Department of Correction has sent another 150 male inmates to be housed at a prison in Texas because the Gem State’s prisons and jails are too crowded.
The inmates arrived Tuesday afternoon at the Eagle Pass Correctional Facility in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Idaho now has 549 inmates at the facility, and another 151 inmates at the Karnes County Correctional Center in Karnes City, Texas.
Idaho corrections officials earlier this year anticipated having to send inmates out-of-state due to the lack of available space in Idaho. All inmates sent out of state are male, medium or minimum-custody level, and have no escape history. They must also have no active warrants or detainers, and be eligible for parole or full-term release after 2020. There’s also a review of the inmate’s institutional behavior, and medical and mental health history before transfer.
Idaho’s prison population and the demand for beds has grown over the last year. As of Tuesday, Idaho had more than 8,600 offenders it’s responsible for housing, both in and out of state – up from 8,300 the same time a year ago.
It costs Idaho about $68.32 per day to keep an inmate at an IDOC facility, and just about $70 to house them at the Texas facility, not including the additional costs for transport, medical, and administrative fees.
Idaho officials have begun talks on a $500 million proposal to expand existing facilities and fund a new 1,500-bed prison. (Idaho Statesman)
