TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Travis County is taking steps to downsize its jails.
The sheriff's office plans to get rid of almost 200 beds at the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del Valle. They are located in three older buildings that haven't been used since late 2018.
A floor of the Travis County Jail in Downtown Austin was also closed.
RELATED:
The Travis County District Attorney said state revenue caps are forcing the county to focus resources on dealing with violent criminals.
"I think we're doing it in a thoughtful way and we're ever mindful of the public's safety, but we also know that we can do things without incarcerating folks that are just as effective as incarcerating them in certain instances," said DA Margaret Moore.
She believes now that every single dollar has to count three of four times toward the public good, they're going in the right direction.
County leaders also said bookings are down 22% since 2015 and that Austin's Sobering Center is also helping keep non-violent offenders out of jail.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: