The Coleman County Jail holds a couple of distinctions. It was the second county jail built in Texas, making it one of the oldest jails in Texas. The building is still operating without any additions to it, but that there is something else that makes it unique.
Built in 1890, Sheriff Wade Turner has been in charge of the Coleman County Jail for 24 years.
He says because of the building's age, it is a challenge to keep it up to standards for the state's yearly inspections. Despite the challenge, the jail has remained virtually unchanged.
One thing that has changed, Turner and his family have been living on the bottom floor of the building since he has been in office.
He jokes that his children had a waiting list of friends to spend the night, so they each could say they spent the night in jail.
While it isn't your traditional home, the jail can hold nine inmates. Any overflow prisoners are sent to other counties. Food and laundry facilities are shared with the sheriff and his family. Inmate visitation is right outside Turner's front door. Call it unconventional, Turner says It is a system that has worked well for years and there are no plans to change it.
Built in 1890, Sheriff Wade Turner has been in charge of the Coleman County Jail for 24 years.
He says because of the building's age, it is a challenge to keep it up to standards for the state's yearly inspections. Despite the challenge, the jail has remained virtually unchanged.
One thing that has changed, Turner and his family have been living on the bottom floor of the building since he has been in office.
He jokes that his children had a waiting list of friends to spend the night, so they each could say they spent the night in jail.
While it isn't your traditional home, the jail can hold nine inmates. Any overflow prisoners are sent to other counties. Food and laundry facilities are shared with the sheriff and his family. Inmate visitation is right outside Turner's front door. Call it unconventional, Turner says It is a system that has worked well for years and there are no plans to change it.
