Coastal Jackson Co. seeks to relieve jail crowding

Associated Press - November 15, 2009 2:24 PM ET

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) - South Mississippi's Jackson County is trying to relieve jail crowding by paying another county to house about 55 of its inmates.

The Mississippi Press reports that the coastal county last week sent the inmates to Pearl River County, about 85 miles to the west.

Board of Supervisors President Manly Barton says Jackson County also has signed an agreement with nearby George County in case more inmates need to be shipped out.

Barton says Jackson County is paying about $45 per inmate, per day to Pearl River County.

The inmates must be taken back to Pascagoula every time they have a hearing or other court function.

Information from: The Mississippi Press, http://www.gulflive.com