LEBANON, OH (FOX19) -
The
month of January has stretched the 280 bed Warren County Jail and its staff to
the limits.
Authorities have been forced to take some drastic measures to
relieve the overcrowding problem, including refraining from making some arrests.
"That's something that we're just not proud of. Do not want to do, and
when our cops are out there fighting crime. They want to bring people to jail
and need to bring people to jail, and we can't take them," said Warren
County Jail administrator, Major Barry Riley.
During
January, jailers have had 25 days where they've had to turn away enforcement
personnel because they couldn't accept any more. However, they do warn the most violent
offenders will still be arrested.
"We will make room some way, somehow, if
you have a felony or a crime of violence. We'll get you into jail," said
Riley.
In
2010, a minor expansion at the jail double-bunked inmates, but a new jail would
solve the problem.
"Where the funding would come from? I don't know,"
said Riley.
Warren County taxpayer, Kevin Bond does not want to pay more.
"Your taxes have already been raised and to add on, you know, other taxes
as well as that?" asked Bond. "Yeah, that's a pretty touchy subject."
Warren
County commissioners this week reinstated its Jail Advisory Board. The panel
hopes to pinpoint the cause of overcrowding at the Warren County Jail.
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