TEXARKANA, Texas -- LaSalle Corrections, the private company that has managed the Bowie County jail since 2010, is allowing its current contract to expire mid-February, according to Bowie County's County Judge Bobby Howell.
Howell said the Bowie County sheriff's office will assume management of the jail in the Bi-State Justice Building in downtown Texarkana and the annex located behind it on Front Street when the contract expires Feb. 12.
The facility is used by Texarkana, Ark., and Texarkana, Texas, police, as well as Miller County, Ark., and Bowie County, Texas, sheriffs offices.
LaSalle gave notice Nov. 9 to Howell of its intent to "exercise discretionary authority to terminate without cause contractual agreements regarding the management of the Bowie County Correctional Center. Termination of the agreement is effective February 12, 2021."
Beginning Feb. 13, the jail will be run by the Bowie County sheriff's office.
"We anticipate Bowie County hiring its own employees to operate the Bowie County Jails [the county correctional center and Bi-State jail]," Sheriff James Prince said in a statement. "We actually prepared a budget, earlier this year, to determine the estimated cost of Bowie County operating those facilities."
LaSalle Corrections Executive Director Rodney Cooper said the company will work with county employees to effect a successful change in management.
"We have enjoyed and appreciate our long, positive, working relationship with Bowie County officials. We are proud of the hard working men and women at the Correctional Center and will work closely with the Sheriff's Office to provide a smooth transition," Cooper said in a statement.
A number of lawsuits stemming from prisoner deaths and injuries have been filed under LaSalle's watch.
The suits allege LaSalle staff members falsified records, failed to meet basic medical care standards, and are guilty of constitutional and human rights violations.