Mold Causes Evacuation Of Linn County Jail

November 19, 2005

POSTED: 7:46 pm CST November 18, 2005

UPDATED: 7:50 pm CST November 18, 2005

Kansas City,MO

video

MOUND CITY, Kan. -- Linn County has 24 inmates, so why is its jail

sitting empty?

KMBC's Antonia reported that the Linn County Jail was

evacuated because of mold.

Sheriff Marvin Stites said his staff became ill, suffering from

allergies, sinus and respiratory problems. Stites evacuated the jail

in September after two state inspections.

" My question to them was, 'Can you tell me if this is a safe working

environment?' They said, 'No, we can't do that,' " Stites said.

The Linn County Sheriff's Department is being housed in temporary

trailers.

The 24 inmates are being held in other counties, which is costing

$1,000 a day.

The sheriff's budget is less than $1 million, " so, $30,000 a month

eats up your budget pretty quickly, " Stites said. " 'Desperate' is a

good description of the situation. "

Antonia reported that it could cost taxpayers about $175,000 to

repair the county jail, which includes removing mold, carpeting and

fixing a leaky roof.

" We're getting bids on all these issues, " County Commissioner Herb

Pemberton said.

Plus, Stites said the jail is too small as it is -- it can house

only 10 inmates.

" Overcrowding has been an issue for a number of years -- about eight

years, " Stites said.

" The way I'm leaning is toward a new jail, " Pemberton said.

Pemberton wants the community to vote on a new jail, which would

cost about $3 million.

The sheriff said the county needs to invest in repairing the old

jail, because time is of the essence.

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