County May Not Renew CCA Immigration Prison Contract

The Associated Press

Williamson County commissioners told the county attorney on Tuesday to draft a notice telling the federal government that they don't plan to renew a contract next year for a detention center that houses immigrant families.

The county owns the building in Taylor that contains the T. Don Hutto Family Residential Facility, a former state prison where immigrant families are held while their immigration cases are decided.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts with Corrections Corp. of America to run the facility. The contract expires on Oct. 2, 2008.

Commissioners plan to review the drafted document next week and decide whether to submit it, county spokeswoman Connie Watson said.

"All commissioners and the county judge support the federal government's position on immigration," Watson said. "However, they felt being administrators of the contract was putting the county in a position where it could be ... liable for a facility it does not operate."

ICE spokesman Richard Rocha said Williamson County has been in constant communication with the government.

"ICE appreciates all the county has done in support of the facility," he said.

Under the contract with the county, the 512-bed former prison is operated by Corrections Corp. of America with oversight by ICE. The federal government pays about $2.8 million each month. Most of the money goes to the company.

Star-Telegram