Sheriff plans for Overcrowding before Jail is completed

Before the first inmate is housed at the new jail in Oconee County, a plan to deal with overcrowding is already in place, explains Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “Last year we averaged about 170 that was our average daily population in a 122 bed facility. We had mats but we didn’t necessarily have beds. Our new facility will be rated for 200 but we can actually go up to 244, a lot of our bunks we can double bunk those cells and actually go up to 244.” Sheriff Crenshaw says alternative detention programs to reduce overcrowding at the new jail will also be utilized. “A home detention program started, we are going to roll that out to our magistrates. Ankle monitoring the non-violent folks, they can sentenced them to 30 days home detention on an ankle monitor. Other aversion programs that we have, we are going to have to use things like that or we are going to be overcrowded again.” Final inspections on the new jail are underway and Sheriff Crenshaw anticipates moving inmates in later this summer.