PAYNE County jail overcrowded

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Officials at the Payne County Jail stayed busy Thursday moving inmates to other facilities to comply with a state order to reduce the jail's population. <br><br>The inmate

Thursday, May 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Officials at the Payne County Jail stayed busy Thursday moving inmates to other facilities to comply with a state order to reduce the jail's population.

The inmate population was 103 on Saturday. The state fire marshal's office on Tuesday ordered that the jail get its population to the legal total of 54 within 48 hours.

Many inmates were released Wednesday. Gloria Hesser, chairwoman of the Payne County Commission, said that by 6 p.m. Thursday, the number will be close to 54.

The jail's inmate population Thursday morning was 61 and four people were to be released or moved to other locations, Hesser said.

Hesser said a judge studied the inmate list Tuesday to determine which inmates should be released.

``The state jail inspector called twice (Wednesday),'' she said. ``He knows we're working on a plan for a jail annex and is supportive.''

An architect will deliver plans to the County Commission on June 18 for the proposed jail annex.