Jackson County jail reports lower population; inspection flags fire-code testing changes

Jackson County Jail Administrator Andrew Long reported on operations and recent inspections at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 17, 2026. He said the facility's population stood at 23 — 4 local inmates and 19 housed for Scott County — and that revenue for January and February totaled $39,270 and $36,575, respectively, bringing cumulative receipts close to the $500,000 mark. "We're sitting at 23, of which 4 are ours and 19 are Scott County," Long said. He also gave average monthly counts (about 29.58 in January and 32.14 in February) and booking totals (36 in January, 47 in February).

Long told the board several inspections had taken place. A fire marshal cited deficiencies that changed the expected frequency of some checks: where alarms had been inspected annually, the recent inspection noted they should be inspected twice a year; sprinkler testing that had been done annually may be required quarterly. "He provided us with...the code," Long said, describing the inspector's documentation and noting the county's reading that the international fire code is incorporated. Long estimated the additional inspection/testing obligation would cost roughly $1,100 per year. He said the kitchen health inspection went well and invited supervisors to attend the formal jail inspection scheduled for March 26 at 10:30 a.m.

The update combined operational data, budgetary touchpoints and safety compliance issues. Supervisors asked for the written inspection documentation and the specific code citations before approving any new recurring spending, with one supervisor requesting that staff provide the exact written rule rather than an oral interpretation.