Wharton County’s jail was recently praised as one of Texas’s best after a surprise state inspection. Officials said it excels in safety, cleanliness, and procedures. Sheriff Shannon Srubar praised Jail Captain Janis Gusman and staff for their hard work. Meanwhile, county leaders approved a $50,000 study to explore expanding or replacing the 168-bed jail. The county often nears full capacity and sending inmates elsewhere is costly. Building a new jail could cost up to $50 million, while expanding the current one would be cheaper but still expensive.