Pemiscot County to house New Madrid County inmates

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The Pemiscot County Jail will house prisoners from New Madrid County, at least for the next six months.

At their Monday meeting, the New Madrid County Commission accepted the bid of $30 per prisoner per day from Pemiscot County. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens on Tuesday was moving the county's prisoners from the Scott County Jail, which had housed prisoners for the county since July 2, to Pemiscot County.

County Clerk Clement Cravens said that although Mississippi County and Pemiscot County each had bid the same price, the commissioners chose the Pemiscot County location because New Madrid and Pemiscot counties are both part of the 34th Judicial Circuit.

"That lends to a better situation for the judges," Cravens said, pointing out that Circuit Court Judge Fred Copeland hears cases in New Madrid as well as Caruthersville. Also, Cravens noted it would reduce travel distance for public defenders, who already have offices in Caruthersville.

On July 10, the New Madrid County Commission decided to move all prisoners from the jail facilities. At the time, officials cited the cost involved in making improvements to the jail sought by the insurance company. However, they have said the decision would be reviewed at the end of six months.