Judges to help keep Wagoner jail from overflowing

(Wagoner-AP) -- Wagoner County judges are trying to help the jail from overflowing. <br><br>District Judge Bruce Sewell, Associate District Judge Darrell Shepherd and Special Judge David Nelson issued

Friday, May 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Wagoner-AP) -- Wagoner County judges are trying to help the jail from overflowing.

District Judge Bruce Sewell, Associate District Judge Darrell Shepherd and Special Judge David Nelson issued an order Thursday, mandating that one of them be available each weekend to set bail in appropriate cases.

The move by the judges should aid the release of some inmates who in the past wouldn't have been able to go before a judge for bail setting until the first day following a weekend.

The order also follows criticism by the state Fire Marshal's Office of the jail's constant overcrowding. The office has threatened to close the facility if corrective measures aren't taken.

The agency ordered that the jail not exceed 10 percent above it scapacity of 34 inmates, or as many as 37.

Wagoner County voters approved a sales tax in October to fund the construction of a new jail, but it's not expected to be completed until late next year.