Jail opens for public tours

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo A book serves as a shim for a bed in one of the cells at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center. Sheriff Bill Martin and jail staff opened the facility for tours Tuesday to educate the public on the need for a new jail. One hundred people toured the jail. Martin said a second open house will be held in the future.

Sheriff Bill Martin and jail staff opened the facility for tours Tuesday to educate the public on the need for a new jail. One hundred people toured the jail. Martin said a second open house will be held in the future.

Because not all inmates were moved from the facility, visitors had to go through security before entering. The tour did not include any populated sections.

A report on the tour will appear in a future edition of The Tribune.

Tammy Helm/Tribune phot Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin watches as SEKRCC Clerk Rachel Thompson completes a security check on Vanessa Poyner, who was taking part in the tour. Because not all inmates were moved from the facility, visitors had to go through security before entering. The tour did not include any populated sections.