Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler thinks that after four years of releasing inmates early due to a lack of holding space, voters may be finally ready for a jail upgrade.
鈥淥ver the years, I think we've had one of the most significant forced release problems in the state,鈥� said Sickler.
He said last year around 2,700 inmates were let out to make room for those newly booked. That鈥檚 had an impact on crime, according to the sheriff. He also said more suspects are not showing up to court because they know they won鈥檛 face the consequence of jail time.
鈥淎nd so we just have a lot of problems that stem from forced releases. And when you look at the compounding effect over years, it's been pretty detrimental to our criminal justice system,鈥� said Sickler.
His office is conducting a phone survey to gauge voter interest in replacing the current 346-bed jail built in 1981. The replacement could cost up to $300 million and add hundreds of beds.
The results of the phone survey will be shared with county commissioners. Sickler said another ballot measure would be needed to fund the new jail. In 2020, over 70% of Jackson County residents voted against a tax of up to $.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value for a new jail.
In May, voters in nearby Coos County rejected a levy to fund more deputy district attorneys to tackle a backlog in cases and add beds to their county鈥檚 overcrowded jail.
