SALINE COUNTY, AR — As Saline County searches for a new sheriff, the department is trying to clean up other major problems stemming from jail overcrowding.
For months, the jail has held an average of 60 inmates over budget. Lt. Scott Courtney says it has a lot to do with the amount of people who cannot post bond, resulting in more people staying in jail until they see the judge.
And while they’re there, they need laundry, food and medical care, all of which hike up expenses across the board.
“Sixty more people a day,” Courtney says. “You’ve been to the store, milk is more, bread is more, everything is going up. It’s hard to figure in that stuff in when you’re budgeting.”
The sheriff’s office is asking county quorum court to help by giving $80,000 from the general fund to pay for rising food and medical costs for inmates. The quorum court will vote on the issue next month.