2/8/18 – 5:13 A.M.

The number of inmates in the Hancock County jail continues to climb. The Courier reports the jail began Wednesday with 130 people in the facility. That dropped to 123 people by noon, with 24 inmates housed in other counties. Lt. Ryan Kidwell tells the newspaper they average between 110 and 120 people inmates every week.

The jail has 98 beds. The county contracts with Putnam, Wood, and Van Wert counties to house additional people.

Kidwell said the higher numbers place added stress on jail employees. He adds they already deal with inmates’ mental health issues, as well as drug and alcohol problems on an everyday basis.

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