DALLAS, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Dallas is cutting back on jail visits to relieve the burden on staff, officials say.
County Commissioner John Wiley Price, who closely monitors the jails, told The Dallas Morning News he has observed the same visitors showing up more than once a week, in violation of the sheriff's policy.
He said the time guards spend escorting inmates to and from visiting booths is an unacceptable drain on resources during a budget crunch.
"Inmates are going back and forth. Officers have to pull these people for visitation," Price said. "It's an extreme hardship for the officers."
Price said he and Executive Chief Deputy Jesse Flores will bring in computers to track visitors at all five county jails, and the weekly visits allowed to inmates will be cut from three weekly to the minimum of two required by Texas law.
Flores said officers are sure some people are showing up for three to four visits a week, but they cannot prove it.
The county jails passed inspection last year for the first time since 2003, but overcrowding is straining the staff, Price said.
