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Harris County Extends $38 Million Deal to House Inmates in Private Jails Through 2027

Restored compliance with lower jail counts offers a path to phasing out Olla placements by 2027.

Overview

  • County commissioners unanimously approved the renewal on Thursday, keeping outsourcing in place through April 2027.
  • About 1,050 Harris County inmates remain in LaSalle-run facilities in Natchitoches and Olla, Louisiana, with roughly 190 more housed near Beaumont.
  • The jail regained a certificate of compliance after a March 11 state inspection, though bed capacity remains curtailed until two comprehensive inspections lift a remedial order.
  • Families of men who died after being outsourced urged a no vote, as multiple lawsuits proceed, including cases tied to Erik Carlson’s and Kristopher McGregor’s deaths.
  • Officials credit a cleared felony case backlog for reducing the average length of stay and say sustained declines could allow a phased exit from Olla by the end of 2027, with Beaumont and Natchitoches largely serving state transfer overflow.