Economy, state laws force closing of Livingston jail
Staff report
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
SMITHLAND, Ky.--The Livingston County Jail will be closed by May 16, saving the county government up to $100,000 over the next year.
"I hate to have to do this, but the new staffing regulations are forcing us to close the jail," said Livingston County Judge-Executive Chris Lasher, noting that several small Kentucky counties have closed their jails because of state laws requiring at least two deputies on duty at all times starting on July 1.
Lasher said May 16 is the goal date for closure. There are 10 male inmates at the Livingston jail with three to four female inmates housed at other regional facilities. Jailer Benji Guill said those inmates will be moved to McCracken County Regional Jail in May. Guill, who has been jailer for almost three years, will be responsible for transporting inmates to adjacent counties after the closure.
"So whether they're arrested at 8 p.m. or 3 a.m., I'll be leaving home and picking them up," he said.
Livingston, Trigg, Crittenden and Caldwell counties have what are called "life and safety" jails. The state has been phasing out those jails, which are older and considered not as secure as full-service jails, such as the one in McCracken County
Guill said he knew that the state would close the jail eventually. He said he'd rather that the jail close for staffing reason than seeing the state deem it too outdated.
"It hate to see it go," he said. "There's been a jail here as long as there's been a county."
Lasher said full-service jails are recommended for counties that house 75 to 100 inmates at a time. Livingston County houses an average of 12 inmates. County officials were already planning to close the existing jail because a new $7.5 million courthouse will occupy the jail’s current site.
Lasher said conservative estimates show that the county will save $100,000 in salaries and insurance each year.