The Multi-County Jail Authority that operates Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset is delivering an ultimatum to the state. The Jail Authority is demanding more state money to cover expected increased staffing costs before the state starts sending more inmates as planned.
Currently the jail houses 120 inmates and has the right amount of staff to handle that many, but state wants to send 60-80 more of its own plus inmates from county jails changing their mission like Waldo County Jail, according to Correctional Administrator Mark Westrum.
“If they’re not willing to provide staff, then we don’t want their inmates,” Westrum said today. “That’s the bottom line.”
Westrum said he does not want to put his staff in jeopardy, knowing that the jail would require more staff because of heightened security needs and put the jail well below national corrections standards.