SHERMAN TX--In the past few years, many solutions to the Grayson County Jail issue have been explored including building a private jail, building a new public jail paid for by a bond issue and even remodeling the existing facility.
Today Commissioners approved a measure that could give the county much needed time to make a decision.

While the idea to build a privately run jail has been abandoned by Grayson County officials, some Grayson County prisoners will be held in a private jail just the same, only in Fannin County.

"We have always maintained a good working relationship with Fannin county and this has been in the works for a few months" said Judge Drue Bynum.

Bynum says today's agreement allows the county to house prisoners closer to home, instead of in McClellan or Limestone county jails and that it could also save Grayson County money.

"The contract was signed for 48 dollars a day, that includes transportation so depending on who you talk to around here that is cheaper than we can do it,” said Bynum.

Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore says his jail has the space, but doesn't need the extra income to operate.

"It was in the back of our minds, but we didn't build this facility to depend on another county," said Moore.

The Jail in Fannin County is operated by a private company, Community education centers, or CEC. Sheriff Moore says he is glad to offer any help he can to Grayson County.

"They have helped us on many occasions, they have never failed to offer assistance in any situation," said Sheriff Moore.

While the future of the Grayson County jail is still not set in stone, housing some prisoners in Fannin County will give Grayson County more options and that means more breathing room to make a final decision.

"It is a just in case, we send 5 and 10 inmates out of county a month and this will let us stay a lot closer to home," said Judge Bynum.