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Lawrence County jail reports roughly 136–137 inmates; juvenile housing and county MOUs discussed
Summary
Officials reported the jail population near 136–137, including 20 female inmates and 10 held for other counties; board discussed juvenile bed capacity, a recent juvenile intake and efforts to secure memoranda of understanding with neighboring counties.
Lawrence County prison board members were told the county jail’s population was approximately 136–137 inmates, including 20 female inmates and 10 detainees held for other counties, officials said.
Board members discussed juvenile housing after a recent juvenile intake. Officials reported the jail’s juvenile population returned to 10 after a youth who turned 18 left custody last week. Board members said the jail’s juvenile unit can house about 30 juveniles; one commissioner prefaced a preference for 32 beds and members said they are pursuing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with neighboring counties so juveniles can be transferred when needed.
The discussion emphasized maintaining and growing out-of-county placements as a revenue source for the jail. Board members said Washington County is cooperating in talks about MOUs. Members also asked whether any female inmates were housed out of county and were told none were at the time of the report.
Board members did not adopt any new capacity limits during the meeting; they discussed continuing outreach to other counties to formalize transfer agreements and improve contingency planning for juvenile placements.
Board staff also noted that the detention facility had recently returned to previous juvenile counts after one youth reached age 18 and that the jail accepts out-of-county detainees for court and separation reasons.
