By Barbara Green
Times Record News
WICHITA FALLS, Kan. — Montague County could reopen its jail by the first week of March if repairs continue to move at a brisk pace.
Sheriff Paul Cunningham told county commissioners that March 7 is the projected opening for the county jail, which has been closed since Jan. 1.
He said repairs are going well. Where crews have finished, they are starting to clean up. Light fixtures will be delivered Tuesday, but they don’t have the control board and security cameras up yet.
Commissioners approved the final payment on replacement of the jail roof, which was begun several months before the Jan. 1 closure. Total cost for the roof is $326,846.
Cunningham said he is still running short on staff, but is continuing to interview applicants. He is one deputy short and four short in the jail.
“We need to have 16 jailers total to provide two on the floor for every 48 inmates. We are interviewing, but still taking applications for a certified police officer in the deputy’s job and applicants for the jailer, which does not have to be certified prior to hiring. I hope to be ready when the jail is ready. We are certainly ready to move forward and be proactive with a full staff.”
Cunningham said he plans on scheduling an open house to allow the public to see their jail before the inmates return.
Once the work is complete, the county will contact the state jail commission for an inspection. If the jail passes, the 55 to 60 inmates housed in Wise County would come back.
Copyright 2009 Wichita Falls Times Record News