Article published November 4, 1986

County jail bulging at seams

The inmate count at the Spartanburg county Jail has nearly doubled capacity, and bonds for some offenders may be decreased to move them out, officials said Monday.

Warden Larry W. Powers said the county jail, built to house 82 inmates, held 158 inmates Saturday - a record at the jail since he became warden in 1982 and possibly an all-time high. The population was 157 Sunday and was down to 140 Monday.

Lachlan L. Hyatt, chairman of Spartanburg county Council, said council members are aware of the overcrowding problem. He said a decision about building a bigger county jail may be reached early next year.

Powers met with Circuit Judge James B. Stephen Monday to discuss the problem, which he called serious overcrowding."

"It creates fire hazards, stress among the inmates and the staff and sanitary and food service problems," Powers said.

The jail often is overcrowded, especially before General Sessions courts, during which time many inmates may be freed on bond or can plead guilty to charges.

Powers said the overcrowding is more of a problem because there are more serious offenders, including several charged with murder, which Powers said is a danger to the staff and to the general inmate population.

Powers also said 32 of the inmates last Thursday were sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

One reason for the overcrowding, he said, may be because many inmates are requesting jury trials.

Stephen said he will meet with Public defender T. Louis Cox and circuit solicitor Holman Gossett today and Wednesday to review bonds set for offenders accused of minor violations. He said some bonds are "unrealistically high " and may be lowered to help move some inmates out of the jail.

Stephen said the court is staying open later this week to accommodate inmates who want to plead guilty.

Thirteen inmates from the state Department of Corrections are at the county jail waiting post conviction hearings, and Stephen said they also will be moved through the court during general sessions Court proceedings.

Powers said the average daily inmate population in the county facility for October was 123, an average of 119 in September, 119 in August and 113 in July.

Last year, the 7th Judicial Circuit, including Spartanburg and Cherokee counties, handled the second largest number of cases in the state behind Greenville, said Gossett. He said the 7th circuit is fourth largest in population, following Greenville, Columbia and Charleston.