JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The Craighead County Detention Center has suffered from overcrowding issues for years, and a recent vote could make things more complicated.

The Sales and Use Tax that would have renovated the jail failed on Election Day.

Due to major concerns about overcrowding, Sheriff Marty Boyd said they have been evacuating inmates with misdemeanor charges on Fridays to make room for future inmates on weekends.

“So we released 30 and that weekend we received 68,” he said. “So those are the conditions we see on a daily basis now.”

If passed, the tax would have funded reconstruction, repairs and new equipment to improve the jail, but unfortunately for Sheriff Boyd, that was not the case.

“It’s just not big enough for the population we serve, but at the same time it’s the people’s vote and that’s what we’re going to listen to,” he said.

Sheriff Boyd said the county only has enough money to fix the overcrowding problem for one or two years. However, he said current conditions show the problem will last for decades to come.

“Any expansion we do is kind of a patch,” he said.

K8 News asked Sheriff Boyd why he thought many voters were against the tax. Sheriff Boyd said as a taxpayer, he understands why.

“I don’t want to pay more taxes like anyone else,” he said. “But I do understand that there are certain things we have to do, provide and pay for if we want a safer community.”

As for the timeline for a future jail expansion, Sheriff Boyd said it’s too early to say since the county is unsure how it will be paid for. He added that making space is the top priority.

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