LATAH COUNTY, Idaho — Latah County Sheriff Richard Skiles addressed rumors Thursday that the jail facility will be closing.
In a media release, Sheriff Skiles said the Moscow Fire Department inspected the jail late this summer. Fire prevention specialists told the sheriff they found several issues involving emergency exits to escape fire, otherwise known as fire egress, as well as the overall fire suppression system itself.
Sheriff Skiles said some of the problems can be fixed using taxpayer money. Other fire suppression/escape issues can’t be repaired, and could create a major liability for the County of Latah.
Nothing can happen until the Board of County Commissioners discuss the concerns publicly. The next meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2024. The Commissioner’s office told 4 News Now that an exact time for the public portion of the meeting will be announced no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 4, adding that it was possible the public could hear the Board speak on the jail either sometime late in the morning, or in the window of about 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 8.
In early 2008, the Moscow City Council and a few then-Latah County Commissioners discussed building a shared complex that would house a new jail facility.
The current Latah County jail facility was built in 1972.
If it is determined the jail is too unsafe, inmates would be housed at surrounding jail facilities in the area, but exactly where hasn’t even been discussed yet.
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