Two steps sought to cope with overcrowded Lexington County jail

Lexington County Council agreed Tuesday to consider a pair of steps aimed at easing jail overcrowding.

Public Defender Rob Madsen recommended adding a lawyer to speed handling of offenses against many of the nearly 800 detainees, while Sheriff Jay Koon wants to double the proposed addition of guards to a dozen.

The nine council members expressed interest in both proposals but made no commitment to approve them.

An additional lawyer on his staff would create a “rocket docket” to dispose of minor charges such as shoplifting that keep detainees in a jail built for 599 in a few weeks instead of months, Madsen said.

The plan is “a contribution toward the ultimate goal” of reducing jail overcrowding significantly, Council Chairman Todd Cullum of Cayce said.

Meanwhile, Koon said 10 new guards instead of four suggested are needed to improve efforts to run the jail properly. Two more guards were authorized previously. Some experts say 60 additional guards are needed.

The current jail staff of 100 he inherited after taking office a year ago “continues to concern me,” Koon said.

More help at the jail is vital even though “I’ve done a lot to tighten our belt,” freeing up deputies both to patrol neighborhoods and to manage prisoners safely, he said.

“We’ll do what we can,” Councilman Jim Kinard of Swansea promised.

Koon is starting to work with prosecutors to reduce a backlog of legal proceedings that keep detainees behind bars while charges are pending. But he warns it will take months.

That effort “will go a long, long way” to ease the problem, Cullum said.

The steps suggested by Madsen and Koon would cost about $450,000. Council members have received $4 million in requests for additional county staff and services so far, with more expected.

Increases in the $143.7 million spending plan suggested by County Administrator Joe Mergo for most county services in the year starting July 1 could be paid for by a combination of higher taxes and use of savings.

The maximum property tax increase allowed by the state cap is slightly more than $6 on a home valued for tax purposes at $100,000.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Two steps sought to cope with overcrowded Lexington County jail."