The Collin County Sheriff's Office and Detention Facility is the result of a six-year effort by the Sheriff's Office, other county personnel, and citizens of Collin County to provide this community with one of the finest, state-of-the-art, full service law enforcement facilities in the United States.

In 1988, a Citizens' Advisory Committee made up of 29 Collin County citizens was established to review the needs for the future of the Collin County Sheriff's Office and Detention Facility. In 10 months, the Committee recommended to Commissioners' Court that a completely new detention facility and Sheriff's office was needed. Commissioners' Court approved the Citizens' Advisory Committee's recommendations.

In 1989, the Collin County Commissioners' Court formed the Collin County Jail Facility Financing Corporation. During the building of this project this corporation issued $49M in bonds for the total project. That amount financed the purchase of 282 acres, all roads, utilities and site preparation which will be used in the future for the build-out of the Collin County Criminal Justice Center. Currently on site, occupying 45 acres is the Collin County Sheriff's Office and Detention Facility and Central Maintenance Facility. The Sheriff's Office is built today for ultimate build-out of the Collin County Sheriff's Office with shelled-out space for future needs. In the Detention Facility all infrastructure and support services is in place to house approximately 1,600 inmates in the future. We presently have the capability to house 536 inmates and as additional beds are needed, only housing will be constructed. Actual construction cost for this facility, central plant, and 45 acres totals $34M.

Ground was broken in January 1992 with construction starting in March 1992. We moved into the Sheriff's Office complex in January 1994 and the Detention Facility was opened in March 1994.

The Detention Facility is a "new generation", direct supervision detention facility that was constructed in full compliance with rigid state and federal standards. By using nine common sense principles, the direct supervision philosophy seeks to manage human behavior positively and productively. The nine principles are:

1. Effective Control
2. Effective Supervision
3. Need for Competent Staff
4. Safety of Staff and Inmates
5. Manageable and Cost Effective Operation
6. Effective Communications
7. Classification and Orientation
8. Justice and Fairness
9. Ownership of Operations

Although significantly different from traditional jails, direct supervision detention facilities throughout the United States have proven themselves to be safe, secure, and cost effective. Design and operational procedures of this facility evolved from the "best ideas" of similar facilities across the nation and our own dedication to perfect our profession.

We hope the information on this web site will assist you in understanding our facility. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact any member of the Collin County Sheriff's Office and Detention Staff.