UPDATE: The jail was downgraded to emergency status as of 3 p.m. with the population dropping below 620. That means staff will book all charges in the general bail order and will book and release all other gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors. 

It was a busy weekend at the Spokane County Jail.

So many people have been taken into custody that the jail began limiting bookings at 6 a.m. today when the population exceeded 650 inmates.

Until the population drops below 650, bookings will be limited to:

    * All felony charges, new or warrants.
    * All probation violations, Department of Corrections or U.S. Marshal
    * Legislatively-mandated misdemeanor charges or warrants for domestic violence
    * All NEW Driving while Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs charges
    * All DUI warrants, including those with bonds
    * All warrants stating “No release own recognizance/Spokane County Jail”

"Charges that won’t be booked include misdemeanor thefts, malicious mischief, trespass, etc.," Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release. "Exceptions can be made by jail shift sergeants depending on circumstances."

The jail was built to house 470 inmates and has been upgraded with double-bunking in some areas to increase capacity to 650.  Administrators consider population greater than 650 inmates to be unsafe.
 

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