In Montgomery County, we believe in a justice system that is swift, fair, and efficient. But for too long, a hidden crisis has clogged our courts and strained our county jail: the backlog of inmates deemed incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness.
These individuals often languish in our county jail for months or even years, waiting for a bed in a state hospital. This delay denies them the treatment they need, but more importantly, it costs Montgomery County taxpayers millions of dollars to house them while justice is delayed.
As your County Judge, I identified this as a critical failure of the system – and I went to Austin to fix it.
I am proud to announce that through relentless advocacy and partnership with our state delegation, we have secured approximately $50 million in state funding to expand the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility (MCMHTF). This investment will add 100 new maximum-security beds dedicated to justice-involved patients.
Why This is a Conservative Victory
Conservatism is about solving problems at the root, protecting the public, and being a good steward of tax dollars. This expansion hits all three targets.
1. Protecting Public Safety & Reducing Recidivism
When mentally ill defendants sit in jail without treatment, they don’t get better; they often get worse. By expanding our local facility, we can restore these individuals to competency faster. This means they can face trial sooner, justice can be served for victims, and we stop the revolving door of recidivism.
2. Saving Local Taxpayer Dollars
Currently, Montgomery County taxpayers foot the bill for every day an inmate sits in our jail waiting for a state hospital bed. That is an unfair burden on you. By securing state funds for this expansion, we are bringing your tax dollars back from Austin to solve a local problem. We are building this infrastructure without raising your county property taxes.
3. A Model for Texas
The MCMHTF is already unique – it is one of the only county-run facilities of its kind in Texas that partners directly with the state. This expansion proves that Montgomery County is leading the way. We aren’t waiting for the federal government or the state bureaucracy to solve our problems; we are offering the solution ourselves.
The Power of Partnership
This victory wasn’t won alone. It required a united front. I want to thank State Senator Brandon Creighton and our entire legislative delegation for fighting alongside me to ensure this funding was included in the state budget.
We made the case that Montgomery County is the fastest-growing county in the region, and we need infrastructure that keeps pace with that growth. The state listened.
Looking Ahead
With these 100 new beds, we will effectively double our capacity to treat forensic patients. This will:
- Clear the Jail Backlog: Freeing up jail cells for violent offenders who belong there.
- Speed Up the Dockets: Allowing judges to move cases forward rather than waiting on competency restoration.
- Restore Lives: Providing humane, clinical treatment to those in crisis so they can face the justice system appropriately.
This is what effective, conservative leadership looks like: identifying a waste of resources, securing the funding to fix it, and protecting the safety of our community.
— Mark Keough Montgomery County Judge
