Video: Local Jail Over Maximum Capacity

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FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Itawamba County jail is facing a problem several other counties deal with in the state.

The jail is full, beyond it’s maximum capability and it’s costing the county money.
Right now there are around 60 inmates housed at the Itawamba County Jail.

When the downtown jail was built in the 1940’s, it could only hold around 20 people.

After some rearrangement, the jail can now hold 42 people.

“I’m literally running out of space to put them,” said Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson.

That’s the problem Sheriff Dickinson faces daily.

The county jail is at capacity and then some, forcing the Sheriff to send some inmates to neighboring counties.

But that costs big bucks.

“Normally it’s about $35 dollars a day. And that gets pretty expensive, where we can house our own and meals are what we’re out, and we’re spending 75-80 cents per meal,” said Sheriff Dickinson.

The inmates are crowded into cells and some sleep on the floor.

Sheriff Dickinson says one thing that can help the problem is tweaking some laws in the legislature.

“However, those people that had been released and are not spending as much time in jail, are getting back on the street and they are committing those crimes, same crimes, or worse crimes and then all 82 counties, I’m certain there are 81 other counties that would agree with what I’m saying here, that we’re stock piling people that probably should have stayed in the Department of Corrections care,” said Sheriff Dickinson.

While there might not be a clear solution for the problem right now, Sheriff Dickinson says he will continue to do his job and keep the county safe.

“And we’re gonna lock you up, if I have to pack you in like sardines you know we’re going to do that. That’s my job,” added Sheriff Dickinson.

Itawamba sends extra inmates to the Monroe and Chickasaw county jails.

Talks of a new jail have been discussed in the past.