CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY HAS JAIL PLANS

Cape Girardeau County, with a jail that houses approximately 80 prisoners, is about to embark upon a major expansion that will more than double its prisoner capacity.

The project is enabled by a $1.5 million federal grant the county has received because the federal government depends upon the county jail in Jackson to house federal prisoners for court appearances in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau.

While the county will have to kick in several million dollars more, it stands to benefit because the number of federal prisoners would more than triple, and at $38.34 per prisoner per day, the county would bring in more than $560,000 annually by housing more federal prisoners.

The County Commission says it has no intention of proposing more taxes to pay for the expansion. With Cape Girardeau County's excellent financial condition, it shouldn't have to.

Tentative plans call for two new cell blocks with 24 cells each on a land recently acquired by the county. That would mean 96 additional beds, accommodating up to 176 prisoners.

Considering the size of Cape Girardeau County and the demand for beds to house not only more federal prisoners but an increasing number of county prisoners, the County Commission is wise to take advantage of the federal grant. The expansion should assure adequate jail space for years to come and adequate income to provide it.