Bexar County Jail Faces Crisis, Calls for Reforms

Experts recommend building a diversion center and ending double magistration to improve conditions and safety at the overcrowded facility.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Bexar County's jail is facing a crisis due to an influx of arrests and extended processing times for detainees. A new report by researchers at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in San Antonio found that the county's Justice Intake and Assessment Annex (JIAA) booking facility is overwhelmed, with roughly 135 arrestees passing through its doors on a typical day. The report recommends building a diversion center to provide treatment for those with mental health or substance abuse issues, as well as ending the practice of "double magistration" where detainees are processed by both city and county judicial officials, which adds hours to their time in custody.

Why it matters

The issues at the Bexar County jail have significant implications for public safety, taxpayer spending, and community health. Extended detention times can increase the likelihood of future arrests and missed court appearances, while also being detrimental to the health and wellbeing of detainees. Investing in diversion programs and streamlining the intake process could help relieve pressure on the overcrowded jail and support a more targeted approach to public safety.

The details

The report found that in 2024, nearly 19,000 mental health screening assessments were completed at the JIAA intake facility, yet only 162 individuals received a diversion to mental health or substance use treatment. The researchers also identified the "dual magistration" system as a key culprit causing delays, as people detained by the San Antonio Police Department are first taken to a city magistrate, then transported to the county facility to repeat the process with a county judicial magistrate, frequently adding hours to a person's time in custody.

  • In October 2023, the Bexar County Commissioners Court asked the UTHealth Houston research team to conduct an 18-month study of the JIAA facility's operations.
  • In 2024, nearly 19,000 mental health screening assessments were completed at the JIAA intake facility.

The players

Bexar County Commissioners Court

The governing body of Bexar County, Texas, which oversees the county's criminal justice system and requested the study of the JIAA facility.

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in San Antonio

The research team that conducted an 18-month study of the JIAA facility's operations and issued a final report with recommendations for improvements.

San Antonio Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that detains individuals and transports them to the JIAA facility, where they undergo the "dual magistration" process.

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What they’re saying

“Bexar County has made meaningful investments over the years. Everyone receives a medical screening, mental health professionals are on-site, and arrestees are processed in an open booking area rather than confined to overcrowded cells, as is common in many intake processing centers nationwide.”

— Alexander Testa, Associate Professor, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health San Antonio (expressnews.com)

“Extended stays are more than an inconvenience. They can undermine public safety. Research shows that holding people in pretrial detention rather than booking and releasing them quickly can increase the likelihood of future arrests and missed court appearances. It is also detrimental to the health of the detainees, as individuals can experience medical episodes and extreme stress.”

— Alexander Testa, Associate Professor, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health San Antonio (expressnews.com)

What’s next

The Bexar County Commissioners Court is expected to review the findings and recommendations from the UTHealth Houston report and consider investing in a mental health diversion center and streamlining the intake process to address the issues at the overcrowded jail.

The takeaway

Bexar County's criminal justice system is facing significant challenges, but the report provides a roadmap for reforms that could improve public safety, reduce taxpayer costs, and better support the health and wellbeing of detainees. By investing in diversion programs and streamlining the intake process, the county has an opportunity to lead the way in addressing the crisis at its jail.