SHERIFF: Bannock County jail can’t hold any more inmates
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POCATELLO — With arrests occurring every day in eastern Idaho, having space for inmates in county jails is a necessity for law enforcement.
But in Bannock County Jail, real estate is becoming increasingly scarce.
Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said the Bannock County Jail has been facing overcrowding for more than a year now, and it’s growing problem.
“I’m required to accept all prisoners — I can’t put up a no-vacancy sign. I also have to accept federal prisoners,” Nielsen said.
One of the major issues behind the overcrowding is that all inmates can’t be housed together.
It’s important that classifications of inmates such as genders and risk levels are not mixed, Nielsen said. Otherwise it can create complications for the jail.
“The classification is really up to me, but I want to keep the inmates safe also,” Nielsen said. “And I can’t in good conscience mix high-risk with low-risk for any long period of time.”
The sheriff’s office is now asking law enforcement around Pocatello not to book anyone unless they absolutely have to.
“If you can cite and release we’d appreciate it, so we can keep that balance,” Nielsen.
But that’s a short-term solution. In the long term, the sheriff hopes to expand the jail with an $18 million general obligation bond.
The sheriff’s office and the Bannock County Commission have meetings scheduled to get public feedback on expanding the jail. The first hearing is Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Bannock County Courthouse Chambers.
“I think it’s our obligation as commissioners to look at all options,” Bannock County Commission Chairman Howard Manwaring said.
Manwaring said another option to alleviate the cramped jail is the construction of a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
“I believe that there is a significant (need) for us to have treatment beds available somewhere in this community,” Manwaring said.
But Nielsen said building a treatment facility still won’t alleviate the need to expand the jail.
The current jail holds 264. He’s anticipating the $18 million bond will pass to cover an expansion and renovation.
“We’re hoping to add another 250 (beds). I want to have a bond so we can go another 20 years,”
If approved, the bond would be put to the public for a vote next May. If the bond is passed, it will take another year and a half to have the new portion up and running.