Jail Crowding Forces Court Session

Crowded conditions at the Spartanburg County Detention Facility led to another special hearing of guilty pleas Wednesday. Larry Powers, the facility's director, said Wednesday afternoon that 108 prisoners were housed on the second floor of the jail. Eleven trustys also were assigned to the facility, for a total inmate population of 119. Sixteen inmates are sleeping on bedding on the floor, Powers said. Another 32 inmates are being held at the city jail under an agreement by which the city houses any overload from the county facility.

Powers said 13 prisoners were taken to the courtroom to enter guilty pleas Wednesday morning and six of those were released from the jail. A total of nine pleas were heard by Judge E.C. Burnett III. Powers said about 40 inmates had indicated a desire to enter guilty pleas, so he hopes Burnett may schedule another special hearing.

A double term of General Sessions Court is scheduled to begin Monday with Judge James B. Stephen and Judge Jonathan Z. McKown presiding.