A committee of Twin Falls residents recommends major upgrades to their jail and courthouse to fight overcrowding and prepare for future growth in the area.
According to the Times-News, the committee voted unanimously last week to build a new off-site jail and a new downtown courthouse. County commissioners will decide whether to bring the issue before voters.
The Twin Falls jail is already overcrowded. Originally built to hold 135 inmates, it now has 224 beds and up to 50 inmates can be held elsewhere in the state on any given day. The proposed 500-bed jail could ease overcrowding. The county may have to bring in temporary housing if the jail population continues to grow over the coming months and years.
The committee also proposed a new, three-story courthouse downtown with eight courtrooms and space for three more in the future.
If commissioners sign off on the plan, it’ll probably be another year before residents vote on any new jail or courthouse.
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