Riley County Jail Nears Maximum Capacity Due to Increased Inmate Population

By Emma Loura/Manhattan Mercury

Riley County Jail has been close to reaching full capacity in the past month.

Prison Captain Mark French told county commissioners Monday that the 147-bed prison has an average daily population of 114 inmates, with that number sometimes rising to 120.

“We’re at the end of our rope as far as the classification system goes,” French said.

French said the Challenge Incarceration program, which aims to rehabilitate eligible inmates and prepare them for release, is scheduled to begin July 22.

“We made plans to make sure the prisoners were fed,” French said.

French said the prison has enough space for a maximum of 18 female inmates, but over the past few months, there have been between 16 and 21 women held there.

“It’s a trend across the country: more and more women are going to prison,” French said. “The truth is there are just too many restrictions for us to accommodate, for any length of time, anything beyond 16 or 17.”

French said prison officials sent inmates to facilities in Pottawatomie or Dickinson counties whenever there was no room, as part of a standing arrangement.

“It’s something to keep an eye on,” French said. “I’m not saying the facility is too small. I think it’s something you should be aware of as we move forward.”

French said the corrections department is also in the process of interviewing a new mental health social worker and program director. Officials have narrowed the list of candidates to 12, with four moving forward in the process.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to hire someone in the next 30 to 45 days,” French said.