Jail returns to normal operations following gas leak

The Young County Jail has returned to normal operations following a gas leak last week that necessitated the movement of inmates to various jails in neighboring counties.

Young County Sheriff Travis Babcock confirmed Thursday, Dec. 21 that the gas leak had been repaired and all the inmates that were sent to surrounding counties had been returned to Young County.

“We got the test done late last night (Wednesday, Dec. 20) and everything tested good and we just got our last people back today (Thursday). So we started moving people today and we got everybody back,” Babcock said.

The issue that needed to be addressed wasn’t a danger to anyone but required time and assessments to ensure it wouldn’t become a bigger issue.

On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 16, reports were made about a gas smell outside the jail. The gas company was called and upon inspection a regulator had blown out which forced the shutoff of the gas throughout the entire jail.

“It wasn’t a hazard. The problem is when you shut the gas off, to get it repaired you don’t have any way to cook meals. You don’t have hot water, all the things that eventually you have to have to keep an inmate there,” Babcock said. “So by the Jail Commission and by our jail inspectors you have to have all three of those in order to keep your jail open.”

Without gas, the jail lost hot water and heating capabilities which necessitated the movement of the inmates.

Inmates were spread around to Stephens, Archer, Palo Pinto and Parker counties. Stephens county received 13 inmates, Archer received six, Palo Pinto took 16 and Parker received 13. Bell County, which has an agreement with Young County to house some of their inmates due to not having sufficient space in their jail, took back 14 of their inmates while this issue got resolved.

“One thing I tried to find was a place to put my inmates so that I didn’t have to drive halfway across Texas to get them somewhere. And, luckily, I was fortunate enough that I had surrounding counties who were very generous to help us out. I can keep them close and not have to worry about transporting them to San Antonio, Lubbock or somewhere like that,” Babcock said.

Counties typically have agreements to pay other counties daily for the out-of-county inmates they house. This issue will likely cost Young County for the few days these neighboring jails held their inmates but that amount is unclear.