The Zavala County Inmate Population
The Zavala County inmate population is reported through the Texas county jail system, not through a separate county corrections department. The active local detention facility confirmed in the research is Zavala County Jail, operated by the Zavala County Sheriff's Office in Crystal City. The jail count includes more than one kind of custody. A recent arrest by the sheriff, Crystal City police, DPS, a constable, or a warrant officer may place a person in local custody. The same jail can also report bench-warrant arrests, local sentenced misdemeanants, contract inmates, and people already sentenced to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice while they wait for transfer.
The most useful source for the size of the Zavala County inmate population is the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. TCJS publishes county jail population and incarceration-rate spreadsheets. Those reports matter because the county website does not publish a live jail roster, a daily booking list, or a detailed public jail dashboard in the sources located for this build. The TCJS data gives a state-backed view of bed capacity, current jail population, average daily population, and custody categories. It does not replace the jail phone line for a same-day custody check.
Zavala County Inmate Population Statistics
The June 1, 2026 TCJS county jail population spreadsheet lists Zavala as a 66-bed jail with 48 people in custody. The same current data reports the jail at 72.7 percent of capacity. A separate TCJS incarceration-rate spreadsheet for June 1, 2026 gives Zavala County a countywide population of 9,209, an average daily population of 53, and an incarceration rate of 5.76. These figures describe the local county jail population. They do not count a Zavala defendant after that person is received into a TDCJ prison, a federal BOP facility, or immigration custody.
| Measure | Figure | Source / Date |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | 66 beds | TCJS County Jail Population spreadsheet, June 1, 2026 |
| Total jail population | 48 | TCJS County Jail Population spreadsheet, June 1, 2026 |
| Percent of capacity | 72.7% | TCJS County Jail Population spreadsheet, June 1, 2026 |
| Average daily population | 53 | TCJS Incarceration Rate spreadsheet, June 1, 2026 |
| Incarceration rate | 5.76 | TCJS Incarceration Rate spreadsheet, June 1, 2026 |
Zavala County Inmate Population Trends
TCJS trend data shows the Zavala County inmate population moving down from early 2024 into mid-2026. The incarceration-rate spreadsheet reported an average daily population of 98 on January 1, 2024, then 72 on January 1, 2025, 58 on January 1, 2026, and 53 on June 1, 2026. The current jail population examples show a similar shift in daily count. The jail was closer to capacity in January 2024, January 2025, and January 2026, then lower in the June 2026 current report.
The source material does not identify one local reform, construction project, or court order as the reason for the decline. A county jail count can move because of arrest volume, bond decisions, case processing, bench warrants, transfers to TDCJ, contract holds, and releases. For Zavala County, the safe reading is a sourced trend, not a claimed cause. The June 2026 row still shows the jail serving as the local pretrial and hold facility even while the total count sits under rated capacity.
| Date | County Population | ADP | Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2024 | 9,312 | 98 | 10.52 | High ADP relative to the 66-bed capacity |
| Jan. 1, 2025 | 9,312 | 72 | 7.73 | ADP down from the prior year |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | 9,209 | 58 | 6.30 | Continued decline |
| June 1, 2026 | 9,209 | 53 | 5.76 | Latest extracted current sheet |
The TCJS county population reports page is the best starting point for later monthly reports. The current report index and historical spreadsheets can change as TCJS posts new files.
The report page matters for Zavala County because it supplies jail capacity and count data that the county site does not publish as a local dashboard.
Who Makes Up the Zavala County Inmate Population
The June 1, 2026 TCJS detail row shows the largest Zavala County inmate population category was local pretrial felons. TCJS reported 23 local male pretrial felons and 9 local female pretrial felons, for 32 people in that category. The same row also included local and contract pretrial Class A and B misdemeanor detainees, local male and female bench-warrant inmates, contract male pretrial felons, local male convicted felons or parole violators sentenced to TDCJ divisions, and in-state contract inmates. That mix shows why a simple name search can be misleading. Some people are new arrestees, some are held on warrants, and some are waiting on transfer or another agency action.
- Pretrial felony custody: TCJS reported 32 local male and female pretrial felons on June 1, 2026.
- Misdemeanor pretrial custody: TCJS reported local and contract Class A/B misdemeanor pretrial categories.
- Bench warrants: TCJS reported one local male and one local female bench-warrant inmate.
- TDCJ holds: Three local male convicted felons or parole violators were reported as sentenced to TDCJ divisions.
- Contract inmates: Five in-state contract inmates were reported in the June 2026 row.
Race, ethnicity, age bands, annual bookings, and average length of stay were not located in the official current county sources. Those categories should not be guessed from the TCJS jail count. When a public records request needs demographic or booking history detail, it should ask for existing records in narrow terms and allow the county to apply Texas Public Information Act exceptions where required.
Zavala County Jail Capacity
Zavala County Jail is listed by TCJS with 66 beds. The June 1, 2026 current report placed the total jail population at 48, or 72.7 percent of capacity. Earlier monthly examples from TCJS show higher utilization: 55 people on January 1, 2024, 57 on January 1, 2025, and 58 on January 1, 2026. Those examples were still below the 66-bed rating, but they were closer to the limit than the June 2026 count.
| Date | Capacity | Total Jail Population | Percent Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2024 | 66 | 55 | 83.3% |
| Jan. 1, 2025 | 66 | 57 | 86.4% |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | 66 | 58 | 87.9% |
| June 1, 2026 | 66 | 48 | 72.7% |
A TCJS special inspection report dated April 29, 2020 noted historical concerns tied to minimum-custody outside-work assignments and facility security planning. That report is useful as dated compliance context. It should not be read as a current noncompliance finding unless a newer official TCJS source says the issue remains open.
Laws for Zavala County Jail Data
Texas law supplies the public-record and jail-standards framework behind Zavala County inmate population records. The county's own Public Information Request instructions quote the Texas Public Information Act definition of public information and say a request must be in writing and addressed to Open Records. TCJS authority comes from Texas Government Code Chapter 511, which is why county jail population, capacity, inspections, and standards are tracked through a state jail commission rather than only through the sheriff's office.
Key Statutes:
Texas Government Code Chapter 552 sets the written-request public information framework used by Zavala County Open Records.
Texas Government Code Chapter 511 creates the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and supports jail oversight and reporting.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17 connects a jail arrest to magistrate warnings, counsel information, and the first appearance.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49 governs inquests and is relevant to death-in-custody accountability.
Zavala County and State Prison
No active TDCJ prison was identified inside Zavala County. A person sentenced in a Zavala felony case may remain in the local jail for a short time as a TDCJ-sentenced or paper-ready inmate, then move into the statewide prison system. Once TDCJ receives the person, the Zavala County inmate population count is no longer the right search system. The state-prison record should be checked through the TDCJ online inmate search, the TDCJ inmate information page, email lookup, or IVSS notification tools.
TDCJ says inmate information such as location, offenses, and projected release date may be obtained online, by email, or by phone. Email requests should include the full name and seven-digit TDCJ number when known. If that number is not known, TDCJ asks for exact date of birth or approximate age and county of conviction. TDCJ states there is no charge for this email information service, but photos and Social Security numbers are not provided to the public through that route.
The TDCJ search page is the official statewide locator for sentenced state custody.
This screenshot belongs with state-prison search because TDCJ is separate from the Zavala County Jail phone and Open Records process.
How to Search the Zavala County Inmate Population
There is no official public Zavala County jail roster or booking search form in the county sources located for this project. A current Zavala County inmate search should start with the sheriff or jail phone line, then move to a written request if the record is not confirmed or if copies are needed. This is different from counties that publish a live roster. In Zavala County, the fallback chain is the main access method, not a backup after an online search fails.
- Call Zavala County Jail or the Sheriff's Office at 830-374-3615 or 830-374-3105 and ask for current custody confirmation.
- Give the person's full name, date of birth if known, arrest date, and arresting agency if known.
- Ask whether the person is still in Zavala County Jail, was released, bonded out, or transferred.
- For a booking sheet, mugshot, release status, or older record, send a written Public Information Request to Zavala County Open Records.
- If the person was sentenced to prison, switch to TDCJ. For federal or immigration custody, use BOP, USMS, or ICE channels.
The county's Public Information Request instructions say the request should be in writing, addressed to Open Records, headed "Public Information Request," and focused on existing documents or information. Email requests go to judge@zavalacounty.gov. Mail requests go to Attention: Open Records, 200 E Uvalde St. Ste 9, Crystal City, Texas 78839.
Current Zavala County Inmate Lookup
Because no official online Zavala County jail roster was located, there is no local roster field table to fill with last-name, booking-number, or housing filters. The county jail status check is handled through the jail phone line and the Open Records process. A vendor page such as JailATM may show a general ID or name search, but the research did not confirm a Zavala County link from the official county site. Do not treat that vendor page as the county's official inmate roster.
| Channel | Use It For | Zavala County Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff/jail phone | Current custody, recent booking, release or transfer status | 830-374-3615 or 830-374-3105 |
| Open Records request | Booking sheet, public charge data, mugshot if releasable, older records | Written request to Open Records is required |
| JailATM search | Possible family-service or deposit search | Participation was not confirmed by county link |
| TDCJ locator | Sentenced state-prison custody | Not for county pretrial detainees |
The JailATM search page shows ID/name and sensitive-ID search concepts for participating facilities.
Use this vendor option with care for Zavala County. The official source set did not confirm it as the sheriff's roster.
What a Zavala County Inmate Record Shows
A public Zavala County booking profile could not be inspected because no official online roster was located. The record fields below are the practical categories to request or confirm, based on the county research, Texas jail practice, and TCJS custody categories. The booking charge is not always the final court charge. It may be amended, reduced, dismissed, or replaced by a complaint, information, or indictment after prosecutor review.
| Field | What It Shows or Why to Ask |
|---|---|
| Inmate name | Legal name and aliases if known. |
| Booking number | County booking identifier, if assigned and releasable. |
| Booking date and time | Useful when no roster is online and several people share a name. |
| Arresting agency | Sheriff, Crystal City Police Department, DPS, constable, or another officer. |
| Charge or warrant | Booking charge, warrant, bench warrant, or hold basis. |
| Bond and release status | Bond amount or type, no-bond hold, release, transfer, or continued custody. |
| Mugshot or booking photo | Ask whether a photo exists and whether release is allowed under the PIA. |
Zavala County Jail vs State Prison
Many inmate searches fail because the search starts in the wrong custody system. Zavala County Jail is for local custody, including recent arrests, pretrial felony and misdemeanor defendants, bench warrants, and some short-term or transfer-related holds. TDCJ is the state prison system for sentenced felony custody after transfer. BOP covers federal inmates from 1982 to present. ICE ODLS covers adults in ICE custody and people in CBP custody more than 48 hours. One person's path can move through more than one system.
| Custody Type | Where to Look | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| County jail | Zavala County Sheriff's Office phone and Open Records | Recent arrests, pretrial custody, local warrants, local holds |
| State prison | Texas Department of Criminal Justice | Sentenced state prisoners after TDCJ transfer |
| Federal prison | BOP Inmate Locator | Federal inmates from 1982 to present |
| Immigration detention | ICE Online Detainee Locator | Adults in ICE custody or CBP custody after 48 hours |
Zavala County Detention Facilities
The active facility map for Zavala County has one current detention facility confirmed from official or high-authority sources. The former Crystal City Correctional Center is historical context only. It closed in 2012 and should not be used as a current inmate-search destination unless an official reopening source appears.
- Zavala County Jail - the sheriff-operated county jail in Crystal City for local adult pretrial detainees, bench-warrant arrests, local sentenced misdemeanants when present, TDCJ holds when present, and contract inmates reported to TCJS.
Zavala County Inmate Population FAQ
How big is the Zavala County inmate population?
TCJS reported 48 people in the Zavala County jail population on June 1, 2026, with a 66-bed rated capacity. The incarceration-rate spreadsheet listed an average daily population of 53 for the same date.
Is there a Zavala County online jail roster?
No official public jail roster, booking report, or mugshot gallery was located on the Zavala County official site or sheriff page. Current custody checks should start with the jail phone line, then move to a written Open Records request when a record copy is needed.
Where are sentenced Zavala County inmates searched?
Sentenced state prisoners are searched through TDCJ after transfer. The county jail remains the right starting point for recent arrests and pretrial custody, but a prison sentence moves the search to the state locator.
Can federal or immigration detainees be found through Zavala County?
Federal and immigration custody use separate systems. Use BOP for sentenced federal inmates, U.S. Marshals contacts for federal pretrial custody questions, and ICE ODLS for immigration detention.