The Democratic candidate for Sheriff – formerly a Kyle City Councilman who currently serves as Chief of Staff for Hays County – Alex Villalobos.

The Examiner sent a questionnaire to the two candidates who will be on the Nov. 5 ballot for Hays County Sheriff. Anthony Hipolito, the Republican candidate, did not respond. Democratic candidate Alex Villalobos’ answers are below. 

For the past few years, Hays County has outsourced detainees across the state, even as far north as Haskell County, and even to privately-owned facilities. In the week of July 7-13 alone, this practice cost the county $167,719. Defense attorneys and families are not notified when their client or loved one is transferred, and detainees say this has led to them losing their property and a lack of continuity of care for their medical needs. Would you commit to ending this practice?

I would commit to ending this practice by addressing the root cause, ensuring as many detainees as possible remain within the county to maintain continuity of care and access to their legal representatives thereby reducing both human and financial costs. If an inmate is transferred there should be an automatic notification that goes out to their representatives with that information. The Sheriff’s office should be held to the highest level of scrutiny when faced with the treatment of detainees as well as the responsibility of taxpayer dollars.

Numerous youths in Hays County have died due to fentanyl overdoses. The Cato Institute, a conservative think tank, reports that in 2022 U.S. citizens comprised 89 percent of convicted fentanyl drug traffickers and that in 2023, roughly 93 percent of fentanyl seizures occurred at legal crossing points or interior vehicle checkpoints, not on illegal migration routes. Do you think it is wrong to conflate the fentanyl crisis in Hays County with immigration?

The fentanyl crisis in Hays County is a devastating issue to our most valuable commodity; our children. Addressing this tragedy requires a clear understanding of the problem; not just where the drugs are originating from but why our youth are turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. As enforcement of immigration laws fall under the purview of the federal government, and according to the statistics laid out here, conflating the fentanyl crisis with illegal immigration is misleading and diverts attention from the real source of the problem. Effective solutions must focus on targeting traffickers and improving local mental health, education, prevention, and treatment programs to eradicate this deadly epidemic. I will continue to make the enforcement of controlled substances, such as fentanyl a priority. I will continue to work with community partners who have direct contact with youth and parents regarding the dangers of fentanyl and have provided additional resource information through their outreach programs. 

What do you believe is the root cause of the overcrowding issues at Hays County Jail? 

The root causes of the overcrowding in the Hays County Jail are multilayered and combine systematic issues with outdated operational strategy. As the County Chief of Staff I have helped lead programing that supports expanded mental health programing, diversion programs, pretrial services and public defender services.  My research also highlighted Hays County Law Enforcement’s lack of use of current statutes that can assist with mitigating jail populations.  I will support and help create front end programs that will help this issue at the law enforcement level and judicial areas to ensure that we maximize our opportunities to provide resources that our community needs, and support well founded judicial and corrections practices. The Sheriff’s department has been stagnant in their response to these issues, we must continually reevaluate and adjust best practices, so that we can be prepared for the continued growth of Hays County.

We understand the Hays County Jail has a policy of voluntarily phoning ICE at the 36th hour to alert them to anyone being held there who is undocumented, to ensure that ICE picks them up before the 48th hour, at which time they are allowed to be released. Will you end this policy? 

The safety and security of our community is paramount and we must ensure that our policies align with the responsibilities of the office. If this is in fact a practice of the Hays County Jail, it raises concerns about fairness and due process as NCIC reporting triggers this process automatically. While immigration enforcement is an important federal responsibility, local law enforcement should prioritize community trust and public safety. I believe we need to re-evaluate this policy to ensure it aligns with our values and doesn’t undermine the rights of individuals in our community. Instead of a blanket policy, we should educate and empower deputies to assess a case on its merits, focusing on serious criminal offenses rather than routine detentions, and work towards policies that protect both our community and the dignity of all individuals.

Hays County Jail provides very limited programming to those who are currently incarcerated. Studies show there are tremendous benefits to providing programs inside the jails, which would allow people to rehabilitate themselves while incarcerated and allow for easier reentry upon release. Would you commit to bringing programming to the Hays County Jail? What kinds of programs do you believe would be beneficial? 

As Sheriff, I would commit to bringing more robust programming to the Hays County Jail within the confines of our budget. Research consistently shows that providing educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs inside jails can significantly reduce recidivism, enhance rehabilitation, and ease reentry into society. These programs are not just beneficial for those incarcerated – they also contribute to public safety by reducing the likelihood of re-offending upon release.

I believe that offering educational opportunities, such as GED preparation and literacy classes, is crucial. Vocational training, including job skills and trade certifications, can equip individuals with the tools they need to find employment after their release. Additionally, substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling are vital to addressing underlying issues that often contribute to criminal behavior. Life skills programs, focusing on financial literacy, parenting, and conflict resolution, can also provide inmates with the resources they need to reintegrate successfully into the community. By aligning our jail with these programs, we not only support the rehabilitation of those incarcerated but create a safer, more resilient community overall.

What criticisms do you have of WellPath? Given its documented mistreatment and neglect of people both locally and across the United States, would you advocate for Hays County to eliminate their contract?  

WellPath, like many private healthcare providers contracted to manage medical care in correctional facilities, has faced serious criticisms regarding the treatment and neglect of incarcerated individuals, both locally in Hays County and across the United States. These concerns are deeply troubling, as everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to quality healthcare.

My primary criticism of WellPath centers on the reports of inadequate medical care, delayed treatment, and neglect that have put the health and lives of inmates at risk. Such practices are unacceptable and undermine the dignity and rights of those in our custody.

Given these issues, I believe it is essential for Hays County to thoroughly review WellPath’s performance and consider alternative providers if they cannot meet the standards of care our community expects.

I would advocate for either renegotiating the contract with strict accountability measures or, if necessary, eliminating the contract altogether to ensure that those incarcerated in our facilities receive humane and competent medical care. With all contractors doing business with the county, it is crucial that we evaluate services that offer the best options and value for the county.

On March 20, 2024, Gary Cutler was one of 120 sheriffs across Texas who signed a letter to Governor Abbott praising border policies. Abbott’s policies have included installing barbed wire and buoys along the Rio Grande Valley, investing billions in a state-level immigration enforcement system via Operation Lone Star, and the deployment of thousands of out-of-state police officers to the Southern border. Do you believe Cutler made the right decision in signing this letter? 

While I respect Sheriff Cutler’s concern for border security, I have significant reservations about the approach endorsed in the letter. It is my opinion that these policies, including installing barbed wire and buoys along the Rio Grande and the massive investment in Operation Lone Star, raise serious humanitarian, legal, and financial concerns. These measures have often exacerbated tensions without effectively addressing the mainspring of illegal immigration.

Rather than supporting policies that strain local resources, I believe we should focus on comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, which addresses border security while also respecting human rights and our nation’s values. Sheriff Cutler’s decision to sign this letter may align with his views on public safety, but I believe a more balanced approach is necessary – one that provides a path for legal immigration and enhances security while ensuring humane treatment.

Currently, defense attorneys in Hays County whose clients have an ICE detainer are not given a copy of it. Would you commit to creating a system to ensure Hays County defense attorneys can easily obtain ICE detainers for their clients? 

Upon consultation with the Hays County District Attorney’s Office, I would commit to creating a system that ensures defense attorneys in Hays County can easily obtain ICE detainers for their clients. Transparency and access to information are critical components of a fair legal process. Defense attorneys must have all relevant documentation, including ICE detainers, to effectively represent and advocate for their clients.

By establishing a streamlined process for attorneys to access ICE detainers, we can help ensure that individuals facing immigration issues are given proper legal representation and that their cases are handled with due process. This system would strengthen the integrity of our legal system.

Many juveniles and adults struggling with drug addiction get caught in the criminal legal system and often find themselves cycling through it without any true help for their substance abuse issues. What steps will you take to ensure that those with substance abuse challenges are provided the restorative services they need, as opposed to just punishment? 

As Sheriff, I would continue to improve programs for detainees relating to substance abuse recovery. Addressing substance abuse as a public health issue rather than solely a criminal one is essential to breaking the cycle that many juveniles and adults face when caught in the criminal legal system. Punishment alone does not address the root cause of addiction, and without proper intervention, individuals are likely to reoffend at a higher rate with increasing levels of severity.

To ensure that those struggling with substance abuse receive the help they need, I would advocate for expanding diversion programs that focus on treatment rather than incarceration. This includes drug courts that offer alternatives to jail time, such as mandatory treatment, counseling, and regular check-ins with the court.

Additionally, I would push to allocate funding for in-jail rehabilitation programs that offer comprehensive services, including counseling, education, and job training, to help individuals recover and reintegrate into society successfully. Partnerships with local healthcare providers and nonprofits can also be instrumental in providing continuous care post-release, ensuring that individuals have access to ongoing support and resources.

By prioritizing restorative services, we can reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and give those struggling with addiction a real chance at recovery and a better future. 

In December 2022, correctional officer Isaiah Garcia shot and killed Joshua Wright. Video of the shooting was released over 16 months later when Garcia’s criminal case was disposed of, despite calls for release from Joshua’s family and the community. Will you commit to changing this policy as it relates to body cam, such as adopting the practice of releasing footage 10 days after a critical incident, as Bexar County Sheriff’s Office does? If so, how?  

Transparency and accountability are fundamental to building and maintaining public trust, especially in situations involving the use of force by law enforcement. The 16-month delay in releasing the video was deeply concerning and understandably caused distress to the family and mistrust within the community.

I fully support adopting a policy that aligns with the best practices recommended by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which emphasizes timely and transparent release of body cam footage following critical incidents.  As Sheriff, I will work with the Commissioners’ Court and the Hays County DA regarding a policy that ensures citizens’ rights are protected along with maintaining the integrity of any investigation occurring.

I will be committed to also ensuring that the public is kept informed of incidents and pertinent information relating to the operations of the Sheriff’s department thereby ensuring transparency. It is essential that we handle these situations with the utmost sensitivity and respect for all parties involved, while also upholding the principles of accountability that are crucial to a healthy relationship between law enforcement and the community.

The State of Texas has failed to properly fund competency-restoration programs, which has caused people who are incompetent to stand trial to languish in jail for months, and sometimes years, while waiting for a bed at a state hospital. As a response, the State is urging counties to implement competency-restoration programs inside local jails. Do you think this is a true solution, or do you believe the State is pushing their crisis onto counties, which should instead focus on investment in front-end care to provide people with mental illness the care they need outside of jail?

While implementing competency-restoration programs inside local jails may provide some relief, it is not a true solution. This approach risks further entrenching the criminalization of mental illness and shifts the burden onto counties. I believe the State is, in many ways, pushing its crisis onto counties rather than adequately funding and expanding state hospital beds and mental health services. Instead of focusing on competency restoration in jails, we should invest in front-end care that provides people with mental health issues the treatment they need before they become entangled in the criminal justice system. This means expanding community-based mental health services, crisis intervention programs, and diversion efforts that keep people out of jail in the first place.

By prioritizing early intervention locally and promoting proper mental health care, we can reduce the need for competency restoration and ensure that those with mental illness receive the support they need in a more appropriate, humane setting.

BY KAREN MUÑOZ TREVIÑO