Will third time be a charm for new Jerome jail?

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By Michelle Costa

Jerome, Idaho (KMVT) - It's been in the works for years, and Monday, the Jerome County Commissioners listened to another proposal to build a new jail.

Voters have already cast ballots twice on the issue, with it failing; but commissioners are determined to put it back on the ballot in November.

Sheriff Doug McFall has been the man in charge for the last year and a half, but he says it like he sees it, and today he's saying this 35 year old jail is falling apart.

According to McFall, "Our current jail just does not meet the standards. It's overcrowded. Every day we exceed the number of beds that we have in this facility and we have to ship inmates out of our county and rent beds from other counties."

That's expensive, costing 40 to 50 dollars per bed per night, not including transportation costs.

Jerome County’s old jail is just that, it's old and that's why deputies are excited for the chance for an upgrade so they can close the door on the old one and open it on a new one.

"This facility is not safe for the detention deputies and we have to make special arrangements to provide for a safe atmosphere and also the safety in meeting the needs of the inmates."

For that plan to go into action, commissioners need to get past step one, finding a worthy proposal. So far they have three, one of them from Paul Shriver whose idea would cost the county three million dollars.

Shriver, Sprung Instant Structures says, "What we're proposing is something quick and inexpensive and will last for 80 years."

In November, the jail will be in the hands of voters once again; and Sheriff McFall is hoping this time it passes.

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