Population on the rise again at SEKRCC

* Director says the trend is a regular, seasonal occurence.

As temperatures have started to rise, so has the population at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correc-tional Center.

According to SEKRCC Director of Security Jimmy Nichols, the population of the correctional center is increasing as is the trend during the summer months.

"Its just that time of year again," Nichols said.

Nichols said the population increases because more people are out and about during the summer months which makes it easier to make arrests. In addition to the increased number of people, the summer months lends itself to more illegal activities, he said.

"You have a lot more as far as partying and DUIs in the summer months as you do in the winter months," Nichols said.

While the population is increasing, Nichols said the facility still has room to house more inmates. He added they are not looking into housing the female inmates in another county as done in the past.

"At this point the sheriff and I agree that the females need to stay here," Nichols said.

The decision to keep the female inmates in Bourbon County was made to keep the financial burden off the taxpayers. Nichols said it costs $40 per day to house one inmate out-of-county. To ensure the female inmates stay in the county, officials may be looking into converting the class room area to house 10-14 more inmates. Nichols said nothing is going to be done right now, but it is a possibility in the future.

"We are definitely going to approach the adding bed space to the classroom," Nichols said. "The sheriff is very adamant about keeping that burden off of the taxpayers."

Nichols said SEKRCC staff will put out portable bunk beds in the facility to accommodate the rising population. He added, it has been done before when the SEKRCC was holding inmates when a nearby correctional facility was shut down.

"The main thing is keeping the inmates in Bourbon County," Nichols said.

Although the current facility was built to hold 25 inmates, Nichols said they have housed as many as 70 inmates. With the rising population, he said they expect 55-60 inmates.

"That is something that we're prepared to handle on a daily basis," Nichols said.