Riley County jail close to reaching capacity with more incarcerations

The Riley County Jail has been close to reaching capacity because of an increase in female inmates in recent months.

Jail captain Mark French on Monday told county commissioners the 147-bed facility has an average daily population of 114 inmates. At times, that number reaches 120.

“We’re pretty maxed out when it comes to the classification system,” French said.

French said the Challenge Incarceration program, which rehabilitates eligible inmates to prepare them for release, is scheduled to begin July 22.

“We made all the arrangements for how we’re going to make sure we have food for the inmates,” French said.

French said there is enough room to house a maximum of 18 female inmates, but there have been somewhere between 16 to 21 women in the jail for the past several months.

“Nationwide, this is a trend: more females are being incarcerated,” French said. “The reality is, there’s too many limitations for us to be able to house, for any length of time, anything more than 16 or 17.”

French said jail officials have sent female inmates Pottawatomie or Dickinson counties when capacity is full as part of a standing arrangement.

“It’s something to keep an eye on,” French said. “I’m not here saying the facility is too small. I think it’s something you should know as we move forward.”

French said the corrections department also is in the process of interviewing for a new mental health case worker and program director. Officials narrowed the candidate list down to 12, and four have moved on in the process.

French said he hopes to have someone hired to fill the role within the next 30-45 days.