KCBD Investigates: Nearly 200 jobs at risk as Giles W. Dalby Correctional Unit prepares to close

GARZA COUNTY, Texas (KCBD) – The private correctional facility in Garza County may close its doors at the end of the month.

Management & Training Corporation has operated the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility since 2007, which currently houses inmates for Harris County and Tarrant County.

MTC employees at the Dalby facility told the KCBD Investigates Team they received notice on Aug. 1, 2024, that their position and employment with MTC would end effective Sept. 30, 2024.

We contacted MTC to find out if it planned to cease operations of the Garza County facility.

MTC sent us this statement:

MTC operated the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility in partnership with Garza County since April 2007. We also partnered with Garza County to operate another facility from late 1997 to 2003.

Throughout its operation, the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility has served various government agencies, including Harris and Tarrant counties. In August 2022, MTC signed new contracts with these counties to house some of their inmates to help avoid overcrowding in their jails.

Tarrant County officials recently notified MTC they no longer needed to utilize the Dalby facility. Since then, MTC has been working with Harris County and other potential agencies to create new partnerships that would justify the need for the facility’s capacity. While those discussions are ongoing, they have not currently materialized into final agreements that will ensure the long-term viability of the facility.

MTC has therefore notified Harris County of its current intention to terminate the contract effective September 30. MTC is currently in discussions with potential partners and will continue to work diligently to negotiate the agreements needed to keep the facility operational; however, if unsuccessful, the operation of the facility will end on September 30, 2024.

MTC has notified staff of the current situation and the potential termination of its operations at the facility. MTC will do everything within its power over the next month to find ways to maintain the operation. Our employees are our family, and MTC recognizes how difficult this situation is for them and will do everything it can to support them in the coming days and weeks.

Garza County Judge Lee Norman said the facility employs about 170 people, and he keeping those workers employed is a top priority.

Norman said he is searching for another operator to lease the facility by the end of the month.

Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility issued notice of non-compliance

Tarrant County began talks to end its contract with MTC after it accused the company of violating its contract.

In December, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued a notice of non-compliance to MTC following an inspection of the Dalby center.

According to the notice, TCJS discovered six deficiencies related to training and drills, health instructions, restraints, observation, the inmate discipline plan and physical exercise.

According to the contract, MTC should have provided immediate notice to Tarrant County when its facility fell out of compliance.

In a letter dated February 4, 2024, to the Vice President of MTC, Tarrant County Administrator Chandler Merritt stated “the County did not receive immediate notification from MTC following the findings of TCJS. Instead, the Sheriff, County Judge, and Commissioners learned of the non-compliance from members of the public and media.”

Merritt went on to state, “the County is disturbed by the deficiencies found by TCJS. The failure to immediately notify the County is unacceptable.”

MTC’s vice president responds to Tarrant County

MTC Vice President Dan Joslin responded to that letter and stated in part, ”As a result of the inspection, it was determined that deficiencies existed and MTC acted to give the areas of non-compliance serious and immediate consideration to promptly initiate and complete appropriate corrective measures as directed in a letter received on December 18, 2023, from TCJS Executive Director, Brandon S. Wood.”

Joslin stated MTC, in several cases, took corrective measures prior to the inspection team completing the on-site review.

February 6 Tarrant County Commissioner Court Agenda Item

On February 6, 2024, Tarrant County commissioners voted to notify MTC it planned to terminate the contract.

“Every member of the Court finds the failure to be notified of the falling out of jail compliance to be unacceptable, very disturbing. I think we are also equally disturbed over the different issues that they fell out of compliance over. Simply unacceptable,” said Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare.

It is a decision Merritt supported.

Tarrant County notifies MTC of plans to end contract

In a February 14, 2024, letter to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Merritt stated at the time, MTC’s Dalby unit was in compliance, but, “since the facility has been found in non-compliance, there is greater likelihood of reinspection and the opportunity to identify additional non-compliance issues.”

The KCBD Investigates Team checked the list of state facilities currently listed as non-compliant; the Dalby center is not included on that list.

The KCBD Investigates Team will continue to monitor negotiations between Garza County and possible operators.

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