JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Hinds County Supervisors have declared repairs at the Raymond detention center an emergency situation. The vote came after an executive session at Monday morning's board meeting.
County leaders basically opened the checkbook for the repairs, which could cost more than a hundred thousand dollars. Supervisors haven't said specifically what will be fixed, but we do know some cell doors don't lock.
Fixing the jail comes on the heels of an escape and reported unrest at the facility. Some repair work has already begun.
Long term, some supervisors believe the city of Jackson should help pay for expenses at the jail or build a separate detention center. Nearly 70 percent of the inmates in the Raymond facility are Jackson residents, leading some Hinds County Supervisors to believe Jackson should pay a share of the expenses at the jail.
"We're gonna reach a point where Jackson and, I think based on the numbers, Jackson alone needs to start paying for their inmates after a certain number" said Supervisor Phil Fisher.
Fisher supports a per prisoner, per day fee. If the city isn't willing to entertain that idea, Fisher has another.
"It's time for Jackson, I think, to get back in the jail business long term" added Fisher.
Supervisors say the current detention center and sheriffs department's more than $20-million dollar budget are becoming more than the county can handle.
Fisher says Jackson can build it's own jail but wouldn't say he supports the county building a new facility. County leaders are considering a number of options.
"It's gonna take some help to make sure, whether we look toward a new jail or the upkeep of this jail is done" said Supervisor Kenneth Stokes. "You know, Hinds County can't do it alone."
Jackson and the county signed an agreement in the mid-1990's but some supervisors believe it's outdated. Jackson residents do pay county taxes but the city doesn't pay extra to house inmates in Raymond.
In response, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson says the city understands Hinds County is looking for revenue, but believes Jackson has worked these issues out in a prior agreement.
Johnson adds the city will look at any proposal the county would like to put forward.
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