CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
With the possibility of more people taking up residence at the county jail this holiday, the problem of overcrowding is once again popping up.
Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin said a crowded jail has become a regular occurrence. The jail's population is edging toward 100-percent capacity.
It doesn't matter, said the sheriff. By federal court order, no incoming inmate will be turned away.
"I've got a lot of common areas up there in that jail. Even though I may go over my 90-percent, I've got places in this facility that we can safely house inmates even thought we're over the 90-percent," Kaelin said. "I don't want to violate state standards, but then again, we're concerned about the safety of our community. And the safety of this community is foremost and first with this sheriff."
At last report, the jail is currently at 98-percent capacity.
