COUNTY SEEKS JAIL MONEY; FEDERAL PROGRAM WOULD HELP PAY FOR EXPANSION

JACKSON -- Sheriff John Jordan says Cape Girardeau County needs to expand its jail, and he may have found a way to get the federal government to pay for part of the costs.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission gave the go-ahead Monday for a feasibility study to see if enough space is available for expansion. Architect John Dudley will do preliminary studies to determine if an addition would fit on the jail site in Jackson.

Jordan said the preliminary work will generate a cost estimate to be submitted to the federal government as part of a Cooperative Agreement Program grant application. The program provides construction money to build jail cells, many of which would be occupied by federal prisoners. The federal government then contracts with the county to house federal prisoners in that space, paying a daily fee for each prisoner.

Currently, most federal prisoners are being held in Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. Cape Girardeau County holds a few, but usually has no space available. The average daily jail population is 71 prisoners.

Since the federal courthouse is in Cape Girardeau, federal marshals must transport some prisoners four hours or more for court appearances. If more jail cells were available in Cape Girardeau County, Jordan said, the federal government could save time and money in moving prisoners.

"Somewhere down the line, the county will have to expand for its own needs," Jordan said. "If this will work, we would build additional space for our own needs in addition to space to be contracted to the federal government."

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said he wants to be clear on all the details of any agreement with the federal government before the county makes a commitment. He asked for details about matching funds, if any, and other specifics of the federal program.

At the county commission meeting, Jordan and Dudley said they are looking at a way to add a second and maybe even a third story to the jail. The additional levels likely would be in a horseshoe or square design to provide better supervision and access to services such as meals.

Dudley will look at the property available at the jail site and the amount of space necessary for the addition to see if it is possible. The commission approved up to $5,000 for his work.

"We don't even know yet if this is possible," Jordan said. "But if it is it seems like a win-win situation."