Power County Jail is working on a plan to expand

The Bannock County Jail in Pocatello has plans to expand and it’s not the only one.

The Power County sheriff is also working on a plan to get more space in the jail.

Power County Sheriff Jim Jeffries said with several jails having an overcrowding problem, he wants to be prepared.

“What’s important about doing this is to try to stay ahead of jail population overcrowding and problems that could create for the county,” said Jeffries.

Jeffries said state law requires jails to maintain certain standards and requirements. That includes taking care of overcrowding issues. If those standards aren’t met, the county could see lawsuits. Those lawsuits could cost taxpayers a lot of money.

Power County Jail can hold up to 30 inmates; they currently have 17.

The sheriff said he has a plan in mind to be ready in case that number goes up.

“The plan would include a budget,” said Jeffries. “We have no idea for sure what kind of funding we would need for that. And so we’re going to talk to some architects to give me something I can take in front of the county commissioners.”

Jeffries said law enforcement can’t fix overcrowding problems simply by turning away prisoners. They are required by law to take any people officers arrest, any that are ordered to jail time by a judge, or any that are transferred by the state.

That’s why the sheriff said he wants to be prepared to expand.

There’s no timeline yet on when the plan will be ready to go to the county commissioners.