Scotland County OKs $75,000 feasibility study after officials warn of dangerous jail overcrowding

Scotland County commissioners voted unanimously July 6 to fund up to $75,000 for a feasibility study to evaluate adding an adjacent 125‑bed facility and renovating the current jail to address chronic overcrowding.

Vice Chair O'Neal, who introduced the motion, said the county needs a long‑lasting solution and asked that the RFP include both new construction and renovation options. The motion was seconded by Chairman Frizzell and carried with full board support.

District Attorney Jamie Adams told commissioners overcrowding "predates all of them" and warned that the county is routinely holding people because other facilities lack space. Sheriff Kersey gave operational detail: "there are 189 in a jail built for 109 people," describing lockdowns, staffing shortages and safety risks for deputies and inmates. He said the jail's operational capacity was 109 beds and noted recent counts in the high 180s, and told the board the daily cost of housing inmates can be substantial when populations remain high.

County Manager Snead and Attorney Ed Johnston advised that a feasibility study would allow the county to quantify construction or renovation costs, evaluate site options (including county‑owned land behind the Department of Correction on McGirt's Road), and clarify any legislative funding pathways. Commissioners directed staff to keep the sheriff involved in scoping the study and noted that state funding timelines could delay construction even after a study is complete.

The board's action is procedural funding only; no construction was authorized. The study is intended to return options, cost estimates and timelines so commissioners can pursue funding, bonds or legislative appropriations if they choose.