Bollinger County closes jail, moves inmates to Wayne County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office has closed the county jail, citing deteriorating infrastructure, security concerns and growing potential liability for taxpayers.

Inmates are being housed at the Wayne County Jail in Greenville at a cost of $35 per inmate per day, according to the sheriff. Their court proceedings will not move to Greenville.

Petton said aging utilities, outdated construction and a growing inmate population have made the Bollinger County facility unsuitable for housing inmates during increasingly lengthy waits for court proceedings.

The closure does not affect other sheriff’s office operations. Patrols and arrests will continue, and dispatchers will remain available around the clock for all emergency services.
Whether the jail can reopen will depend on an evaluation of finances and regulations, Petton said.

The sheriff and county commissioners are exploring options for a replacement facility, including state and federal grants. Petton said financing remains an obstacle and building a new jail would be a lengthy process.

Officials also considered expanding or remodeling the existing jail. However, its location, plumbing, electrical needs and outdated construction could make renovations as expensive as, or more expensive than, a new facility, according to Petton.

The sheriff said the county’s half-cent law enforcement sales tax cannot fund a new jail because its ballot language limits spending to salaries and equipment.

Staff members have been contacting emergency contacts for transferred inmates, though some inmates did not provide contact information and others’ contacts could not be reached.

Families seeking information about Wayne County Jail policies can call the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 573-224-3219. Additional questions about the closure can be directed to the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office at 573-238-2633.