SAN ANTONIO — A group representing personnel within the Bexar County Sheriff's Office is pushing for transparency regarding an audit of the county jail that was "initially expected" to be conducted months ago.
Within hours after the DSABC released their statement Friday, a BCSO spokesperson said that report "is being finalized."
The Deputy Sheriff's Association of Bexar County (DSABC) on Friday said it had filed a records request for the findings of the audit, which the group says received the green light in October 2021 and was planned for February.
According to union leaders, county commissioners have continuously delayed that release. BCSO officials on Friday said copies have been provided to them.
"Our priority is transparency," union President Ron Tooke is quoted as saying in a news release. "We want the public to know now about the inhumane conditions inmates and deputies endure every day."
The DSABC's statement was accompanied by blurry cell phone video purportedly shot inside the jail in which water can be seen leaking from the ceiling, which also had one sizeable hole in it. Tooke in the release calls the video "proof that deplorable conditions in the jail continue."
A Bexar County spokesperson confirmed to KENS 5 the video was shot inside the jail last week, adding repairs were made "right away" once officials were notified. However, while the county spokesperson said inmates weren't moved during repairs, BCSO told KENS 5 something to the contrary, saying, "inmates were removed from affected areas."
The below photo provided by BCSO shows the area of the ceiling after repairs were made.
Another video shared by DSABC shows sewage water overflowing through floor grates, allegedly in an inmate's living quarters.
The county has 10 days to respond to the union's records request, per Texas law.
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