The overcrowding issue at the Marshall County Jail is just one of the complaints in new lawsuits filed against the county.
As of Monday, Sept. 9, there were 282 inmates in the Marshall County Jail where the recommended capacity is 239.
Sheriff Matt Hassel told county officials in previous meetings that that some inmates are sleeping on mats on the floor as they’ve run out of regular cell space. The sheriff told the county council members this week that he is attempting to work out a plan as the second rec room is being used as a means to house inmates.
“We are in the process of purchasing plastic bunks where they would be off the ground and put their mattress on,” explained Hassel. “It’s going to be between $10,000 and $13,000 to get what we need to get our people off the ground. So, I may be back for additional money. I just think it’s the right thing to do.”
Hassel commented that there is a requirement where the mattresses for inmates are supposed to be a certain height off the floor so Hassel is making an effort to comply with that requirement.
In the meantime, the Marshall County Commissioners approved a contract with architecture firm RQAW last week to move plans forward for the possible construction of an additional jail pod to accommodate the upward trend of the jail population.
