Jail hits record high population

MERCER, Pa. — A record high daily average inmate population of 265 was recorded in August at the Mercer County Jail.

Jail Warden Jeff Gill told the Mercer County Prison Board on Monday that the jail population “cycles up and down” and was back down in the low 250s Monday. The previous high of 254 inmates was recorded in July. Average population was 233 in 2006 while the average for 2007 thus far is 251.

The jail, which opened in December 2005, has a capacity of 280 inmates. However, some cells are in areas reserved for certain populations, such as women or high security and cannot be used for the general population.

In an effort to ultimately reduce the jail population, the prison board has asked the staff to study the reasons for each prisoner’s being assigned to the county jail. Prison Board President James Epstein said many inmates are there for multiple reasons. For example, they may be awaiting a trial but also being held on a parole violation. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a substantial number of inmates are there as the result of “discretionary acts” by the court. The study is expected before the end of the year.