State Closes The Estill County Jail

In Estill County, the State Department of Corrections has ordered the Estill County Jail closed and the inmates moved after needed repairs were not made.

It all started after the jail failed an inspection. About two weeks ago, county officials received a letter by state officials saying if the county did not produce a plan for needed repairs the facility would have to move the inmates and close on March 29,2017.

Yesterday, Estill County Jailer Bo Morris and his Deputy Jailers were busy trying to find facilities to house the 25 inmates. The inmates are now being held in Bourbon, Clay, Jackson, Lee and Powell counties.

The problem, according to Judge Wallace Taylor, is the county does not have the funds for the repairs.

Estimates for repairs to the sprinkler system amounts to $4,700 and additional repairs to the smoke evacuation system brings the total to $7,000.

Judge Taylor says by law he cannot issue a purchase order for something he does not have funds for.

Judge Taylor has made an appeal and he says he expects to hear from state officials Monday to schedule an appeal hearing.

This is the second time in two years the jail has been closed.