EDITORIALS/Build a new county jail
Constructed three decades ago, the county jail is run down, out of date, dangerous and needs to be replaced, this page opined two years ago, and we’re urging construction of a new jail again.
A meth addict jumped off the roof before dawn one morning not long ago, escaped but was caught that afternoon at the GameStop on a tip. The place really isn’t safe.
The jail recently passed a Health Department inspection, but the facility still faces deficiencies, such as unreliable hot and cold water, low water pressure, and worn out plumbing, Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark told the Democrat recently.
Not that the Sheriff is operating a Ritz-Carlton, but the Democrats care about pampering criminals and the feds will start sniffing around if the drug dealers, drunks and illegals don’t have water pressure or their bath water is a little cold.
The expense of sending prisoners to Carthage and Louisville alone continues to rise, and getting a handle on the situation now is the most responsible course.
City and county officials have discussed forming a taskforce but so far nothing has been done. It’s time to get on it.
The city is spending a ridiculous amount of time and money transporting prisoners to Louisville.
While the Neshoba jail is designed to hold 66 inmates, they had 82 guests one recent Monday with some inmates sleeping on the floor.
The inmate population hit 108 recently so it’s only a matter of time before the Biden administration shows up with a court order.
Locking up criminals is a priority most Neshoba countians share so investing in a new jail would be a welcomed expense done right.
Sheriff Clark has said he envisions building a regional facility. In that case, Neshoba County makes money on other counties housing their prisoners. We have the borrowing capacity, little debt and plenty of land.
“We are going to have to talk to our local legislators and communicate with the Department of Corrections to show an interest in wanting a regional facility,” Clark has said.
He suggested that an ideal regional facility in Neshoba County should have the capacity for about 250 state inmates and 100 to 125 county and city inmates, keeping the total inmate population under 500.
Clark also emphasized the current financial strain of housing inmates, estimating it costs the county about $60 a day per inmate. While he doesn’t believe a regional facility would immediately pay for itself, he said that over time, the benefits would make it invaluable.
“I think eventually we could get to a point where we’re housing inmates at no cost to county residents,” Clark said.
If a new facility is built, Clark envisions an open barracks-style design, with communal showers and toilets on the opposite end, but with walls high enough to maintain privacy while allowing guards to monitor for safety.
“We’re constantly working on the heating, cooling, and plumbing. It’s a continual effort just to keep the lights on,” Clark said. “At some point, we need to get to where that’s not our chief concern.”
It’s incumbent upon city and county leaders to address the jail crisis if they care about law and order.
The funds taxpayers are spending transporting prisoners to other counties could be invested in manpower and equipment.
From October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, 2,115 inmates were booked into the Neshoba County Detention Center, with an average daily population of 94.
Neshoba County would pay Leake County $27 a day per inmate, resulting in an annual housing cost of $926,370, Clark pointed out.
With court and jail staff salaries and transportation costs included, the total would rise to $1,262,723.
The figures don’t account for overtime, vehicle maintenance, transportation for medical care, inmate interviews, and other expenses.
The Sheriff currently allocates $90,000 for inmate medical care, and the overall budget for the Neshoba County Detention Center is $2,147,208.
A good study on a regional jail is a wise path.