Jail Fire May Snuff Out Smoking

Shoshone County Jail officials are reconsidering their smoking policy after two inmates allegedly set their cell on fire, officials said Thursday.

The men admitted using matches to set fire to the ceiling of the jail, said Nelson Morris, Shoshone County Sheriff’s deputy.

The jail is the last in the five northern counties to allow inmates to smoke - and therefore have matches.

“It used to be that every jail in Idaho allowed smoking,” said Judy Felton, jail standards coordinator for the Idaho Sheriff’s Association. “Now, the majority do not permit it.”

The case against Matthew Levy, 26, and Rory Brown, 32, will be forwarded to the prosecutor for possible arson charges.

The fire damaged electrical wiring in the cell area on Tuesday. It was quickly put out by a jailer with a fire extinguisher, Morris said.

For now, Shoshone inmates are being allowed to puff away. But Morris said the staff is discussing whether or not to allow it in the future.

, DataTimes