Purchase of 7th Street building could alleviate jail overcrowding

The McCracken County Regional Jail is running at almost 200 inmates over capacity.By Amy Burroughs
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County officials are considering the purchase and renovation of a building across from the McCracken County Regional Jail for about 200 minimum-security inmates.

The South 7th Street building now houses Social Security Administration offices. The SSA has rented the building for at least a decade, handling hearings on disability appeals.

The arrangement could alleviate persistent jail overcrowding and be cheaper than expanding the jail, Jailer Bill Adams said.
Judge-Executive Van Newberry said the McCracken County Fiscal Court has authorized Deputy Judge-Executive Doug Harnice to get an appraisal of the building and one of the former Hamock Funeral Home at 429 S. 7th St. Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Shea Nickell owns the latter property.

Newberry said he hopes to have the appraisals in a few weeks.

I think it would be foolish of the county to pass up any opportunity to get hold of real estate next to the courthouse, Newberry said. The (Social Security) building might have a lot of flexibility to it.

Newberry said no plans have been made and officials are just considering options.

The jail routinely exceeds its capacity, with about 500 inmates daily, Adams said. That‚s up from about 420 inmates several months ago, he said. The jail‚s listed capacity under state regulations is 342.

The jailer eased some overcrowding by putting about 30 inmates on a home incarceration program, but it did not eliminate the problem.
If (this purchase) goes through ... it's going to solve our problem for several years, and it‚s not a bad purchase for the county, Adams said.

He said that in the unlikely event the jail no longer needed additional space in the future, the building could easily serve as a courthouse annex.
Newberry said the jail's Class D felons, who already participate in community work programs, probably would be moved to the facility.
The Saladino, Oakes & Schaaf law firm, adjacent to the SSA building, would not be affected by any new arrangement, Gary Schaaf said.
SALAG Inc., comprised of Joseph Saladino, Chip Saladino, Kristi Saladino and Bill Graves, owns the building. The Social Security Administration‚s lease will expire at the end of the year, Schaaf said.

Federal officials also have expressed interest in the space, he said.
The location and the size of the building make it absolutely perfect for government use, whether it would be federal, state or county, Schaaf said.