Jail population spikes

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

A recent round-up by Warren County Sheriff’s Office, called Operation Summer Sweep, has caused a spike in the number of individuals being housed at the jail.

“Our total population is 209,” said Major Kevin York, of WCSO. “Of that total, 167 are males and 42 are females. Out of those, 22 are state inmates. We are a bit up from where we were, but we did have that drug round-up.”

State inmates are those that qualify for transfer to a state facility. They are under the legal authority of the state correctional system but are physically confined in a local or regional jail facility.

“If you subtract the state inmates from the total, we have 187 and 123 are pre-trial,” said York.

The information was shared during Monday’s County Corrections Partnership.

“The inmate population being up somewhat is understandable,” said Commissioner Randy England. “How about the buildings? How’s the air conditioning doing?”

York replied that the AC is holding up well, but added “knock on wood,” an expression meant to hope that one’s luck continues.

Commissioners inquired about the new maintenance building, to which York added, “It’s going well. TCAT is coming back this week to finish up the electrical. We do have all the lifts installed. It has a pipe system, and hoses ran for the air compressor.  We are waiting on the air compressor to come in. Once the electrical is done and a little finish work on the bathrooms, I’m hoping by the end of the month we will be done enough to start. It might not be 100 percent. We might have to paint. They will finish the fence this week.”

The maintenance building is another effort by the Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny Jr. to reduce recidivism by providing trusted inmates with a chance to learn a trade. Only inmates that meet strict qualifications will be allowed in the class. The hope is to begin with four to six inmates, who will learn the basics of vehicle maintenance: how to change oil, balance tires, replacing windshield wipers, etc. The class instructor will be provided by TCAT.