Capacity: 679
Client: U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)
Accreditations: American Correctional Association (ACA)
In January 1998, The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) reached an agreement to purchase a secure correctional facility owned by the Karnes County Public Facility Corporation. GEO signed an interim operational agreement with the County to assume management of the facility beginning at midnight, January 15, 1998. The purchase of the facility included an additional 50 acres of adjacent land. On December 31, 1998, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards approved a facility renovation project which increased the facility capacity. The facility was renovated again in July 2006, bringing the facility to its current capacity.
Medical care, food service, and laundry are provided in accordance with standards required by the USMS. Additionally, the facility provides court and airlift transportation services for the USMS-Southern District. The facility also provides video conferencing to Federal Court for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
The facility includes a full service kitchen and space is provided for medical services, intake, food service, and visitation. A library and law library are provided as well as a print shop. A large outdoor recreation yard is available for use.
The facility achieved initial accreditation through the American Correctional Association in 2024 with a score of 99%.
The Karnes County Detention Facility recently marked a milestone of community service through its long-standing partnership with the Toys for Karnes County Tots program. This annual drive, which celebrated its 25th year of service, provides toys and food gift cards to hundreds of local families. Starting in 2000 with 185 children and 80 families, the number of children served has grown significantly. In the most recent season, the program served over 550 children and more than 200 families throughout the county. For 25 years, this partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department has brightened many Christmas mornings. For decades to come, it will continue to light up hearts. READ MORE