Inmates sleep on floor due to overcapacity at Bannock County Jail

According to Captain Tad Bybee, the Bannock County Jail is at 104 percent capacity as of Wednesday.

Because of the overcrowding, the jail either rents out bed at nearby jails or inmates sleep on the floor of the jail in Pocatello.

“Currently, there are 26 inmates essentially housed in the booking room and that is normally a processing area for those being arrested and those being released…It is not designed to be a housing unit. So it is not the safest environment for the inmates,” commented Captain Bybee.

The jail tried to expand their building, but the jail bond failed to pass. Now they are hopeful the next time around more people will vote for the bond.

“I am hoping people will see the need and will be educated on where we are at. And realize this is not a want for us, it is truly a need,” added Captain Bybee.

A jail committee meeting was held on Wednesday to educate people about the need for a jail expansion.