By by Connie Nowlin
Managing Editor
Because of a court order to reduce the number of state inmates in county jails across the state, the Department of Corrections has been forced to look for alternative housing.
Approximately 100 inmates from Kilby Correctional Facility at Mt. Meigs were transferred Monday to Tutwiler, Miss.
The move, made an emergency contract authorized by Gov. Bob Riley, does not appear to affect Escambia County facilities, or at least not yet.
According to chief deputy Maj. Mike Murphy, there are 21 state inmates in the Escambia County jail.
That facility is equipped to house 147 inmates, but current counts are around 97.
Meanwhile, the warden and staff at Holman Prison have taken a wait and see stance on the changes that may be made in the inmate count.
"We are not making any changes at this time," said Grantt Culliver, warden at Holman.
"It depends on how many are moved (at other facilities)"
Culliver said it would be hard to say how his facility would be impacted. He also said that some lawsuits had been filed that may force inmates to be moved from county jails to state-run facilities within 30 days of their being sentenced.
There are 992 inmates at Holman Prison. Capacity is 998, but Culliver said the six remaining beds are earmarked for death row inmates and will remain open until the state sends death row inmates to fill them.