Grant County reverses course, votes to keep jail open

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) – Officials in Grant County have reversed course and decided to keep the jail open after finding out that it would cost more to close the facility.

The Fiscal Court passed a resolution in July to close the jail, which has been plagued by inmate lawsuits, personnel lawsuits, prisoner escapes and maintenance issues for more than a decade. The resolution called for shuttering the facility by October.

The Kentucky Enquirer (http://cin.ci/2dgSbmq ) reports that magistrates voted this week to rescind the resolution and keep the facility open.

Judge-Executive Steve Wood says nearby counties were charging a hefty price – as much as $66 per prisoner per day – to take inmates.

Wood says officials estimated it would cost about $2 million annually to house inmates in other facilities compared to $700,000 to keep the current jail open.

___

Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.