Jail Surpasses Capacity By 54

A glut of arrests this weekend filled the Kootenai County Jail with a record number of inmates.

On Sunday 177 inmates filled the jail, which was designed to hold only 123 people, said Sheriff’s Lt. Sam Grubbs.

The previous record of 171 inmates was set on July 4.

This summer, the jail added almost 30 bunks to help handle the continuing crowding problems. Grubbs said the county plans to start building a new 120-bed work release center by next year.

The minimum-security building would hold the less serious offenders and would help relieve the pressure caused by the crowding. Continuing crowding caused the Idaho Sheriff’s Association to revoke the Kootenai County Jail’s certification.

, DataTimes