At its regular Monday morning meeting on March 22, 2010, Bell County Commissioners County approved an Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract between Bell County and Mission and Installation Contracting CMD, Directorate of Contracting Fort Hood that cleared the way to bring Major Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, to the Bell County Jail. Negotiations for the transfer to the Bell County Jail have been ongoing for over a month.

Hasan, the sole suspect in the November 5, 2009, Fort Hood shooting, is currently charged on thirteen counts of premeditated murder and thirty-two for attempted murder. Since the incident, he has been being held in the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Bell County Sheriff Dan Smith issued the following statements regarding Hasan’s transfer to Bell County Jail:

“Today’s action by the Bell County Commissioners Court formalizes contract negotiations which have been on-going with Ft. Hood authorities for the past several weeks. Today’s court action paves the way for the Bell County Jail to receive Major Nidal Hasan. The extraordinary circumstances surrounding this inmate require unusual and extraordinary security measures. These issues could not have been addressed without this amendment.”

“Once Hasan is secured in our jail facility, I will be conducting a press conference to provide additional comments and answer questions. However, until that time, neither I nor my staff will be receiving any media inquiries or answering any questions. For security reasons, the date and time of Hasan’s transfer to Bell County will not be published.”

“An announcement will be made prior to the press conference and ample time will be allowed for media travel to Bell County.”

County Judge Jon Burrows said, “bringing Husan to Bell County Jail is an accommodation and cooperative measure with Ft. Hood.”

Estimated costs to contain Hasan for the remainder of the year at the Bell County Jail are over $200,000.I n addition, modifications have had to be made to the jail to receive Hasan, who is paralyzed from the waist down. Fort Hood has contracted with the jail to cover the costs of Hasan’s containment, which includes, in addition to necessary modifications and equipment due to Hasan’s condition, transportation to the facility, continued medical care, and around the clock supervision by a guard.