MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer said he’s looking at options to increase the number of female jail cells for an increase in female inmates.
“These changes would not increase the total capacity of the jail, but would rearrange dorm use and allow us to increase the number of females housed,” Shaffer said.
Though there isn’t a price tag to the project yet, Shaffer said he has full support of the commissioners once it starts.
The sheriff explained that jail standards indicate male and female inmates must be separated by sight and sound, that is why there would be some remodeling needed.
“Any modifications to the facility must be approved by the Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention, and comply with the minimum standards for Ohio jails,” Shaffer said.
“The Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance is also involved, to verify that plans are compliant with state building codes. If all parties approve the plans, construction can take place.”
Twelve women can currently be housed in the jail, Shaffer said, and he’s hoping to increase it to 24, doubling the current capacity for female inmates.
The female population has increased over the years, with the jail typically having 18 females at a time. And Shaffer doesn’t “see any indication it’ll be down to 12 in the foreseeable future.”
When there’s an overflow of female inmates, Shaffer sends them to nearby county jails, he said.
The increase, according to Shaffer and Prosecutor Chip McConville, is due to increase drug offenses and other crimes associated with drug use.
“We’re getting more and more women picking up serious felony three and two charges, McConville said.
Methamphetamines is the No. 1 drug in cases, McConville said. Fentanyl is second, with cocaine making a resurgence.
McConville chalks up the increase of female drug cases to a greater number of drug users.
Prior to COVID-19, the jail was running at around 90 inmates, now it’s in the 80s, the sheriff said. Before the recommendation was sent to the bureau, state jail inspectors visited the Knox County Jail to see if the remodel would be possible.
“They physically looked at our facility and we spoke to them about what our idea was and (we) wanted to get an OK from them,” Shaffer said. “To look at the blueprints and to see if they have any potential problems before they get started.”
Shaffer said he hopes to receive a response from the state within a couple of weeks so the remodeling can get started.
“We’d like to get it in place as soon as possible,” he said.
