Payne, Noble counties look to solve jail woes

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- County officials in Payne and Noble counties are looking to voters to approve funding and construction of new jails.<br/><br/>State jail inspectors already have warned Payne County

Sunday, July 17th 2005, 4:46 pm

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- County officials in Payne and Noble counties are looking to voters to approve funding and construction of new jails.

State jail inspectors already have warned Payne County that its jail can be shut down if changes aren't made to ease overcrowding. County commissioners have hired a Tulsa company to develop plans for a new jail near the courthouse that will hold 250 to 300 inmates.

Commissioner Gloria Hesser says language calling for a vote of the people needs to be finalized in early September so a November 8th election can be called.

Meanwhile, Noble County voters will be heading to the polls August 9th to vote on a $3.8-million jail project. The county has a 19-bed jail built in 1915, and the proposal calls for a 48-bed facility.