Merrimack County jail population surges to 233, fueling overtime and staffing pressure

Jail Administrator Garrett said Merrimack County's average daily population has climbed sharply this year, straining staffing and costs. "With the increase in, individuals staying in with the new bail reform currently today we're at 2 33. So we're up 60 bodies from there," Garrett said, noting the county had averaged about 175 inmates in 2025.

The higher population has increased some revenues — federal holds and telephone/communication commissions have risen — but Garrett warned that overtime and vacancies remain acute budget pressures. He reported roughly 34 vacant corrections officer positions (peaking at about 39 earlier in the year) and said the county has often run a single housing unit open to accommodate the population. "We lose 1, we gain a couple lose 2. It's a process," he said of recruitment.

Garrett told commissioners he expects overtime spending to remain elevated this year, and he proposed a staffing analysis to align schedules and reduce reliance on overtime. "We're moving up to, going up $100,000 in overtime," he said, while adding that he hopes operational changes and filling vacancies will lower that figure in the coming year.

Garrett also flagged the potential policy implications of holding arrangements, including a pending feasibility review of any future ICE holds and the operational costs of expanded housing. "I'm looking at the feasibility with what we have... I'm doing an analysis based off of the what we had for levels of incidents back when we had that population versus where we're at now," he said.

Commissioners did not take formal votes on the jail budget during the discussion; Garrett said he will return with further analysis to inform mid-cycle decisions and any requests for supplemental funding.

Ending: The administrator asked the board for patience as he completes a staffing and services analysis; commissioners asked for the report back before finalizing CIP or vehicle decisions.