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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A rise in the inmate numbers has led to a discussion on increasing the capacity of the Stutsman County Jail.

The jail committee is comprised of Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser, County Jail Administrator Chad Jackson, Police Chief Scott Edinger, and County Auditor Casey Bradley. Auditor Bradley stated that the decision to look at expansion comes after issues arose last year concerning paying inmates.

Bradley pointed out that many steps have been taken to make room for more inmate space including the switch to video visitation and cutting back staff hours.

County Jail Administrator Chad Jackson stated that the jail has never surpassed their 94 inmate capacity, but the expansion would be a proactive step so that never becomes an issue.

So, the board will look at three different options to expand the existing correctional center. Two of the options will consist of closing a block of 6th Street Southeast between 2nd Avenue Southeast and 3rd Avenue Southeast. Jackson pointed out that there would be pros and cons with any option the group chooses.

The Stutsman County Commission and Jamestown City Council will split the $60,000 cost for a feasibility study being done by Klein McCarthy Architects in Bismarck. The group is in the early stages of discussion of the potential options.