12/18/13 - Recent controversy over a perceived lack of action to expand the Livingston County Jail and address overcrowding conditions appears to be settling down. Pressure to address an expansion accelerated after Sheriff Bob Bezotte made public a photo of eight female inmates in a holding cell, who were crowded tightly together in unsanitary conditions. A financial presentation was made to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners at its meeting on Monday night, which included options to possibly fund a jail expansion. The larger challenge appears to be how to pay for continuing jail operations, and not so much the cost of constructing an addition. Bezotte says he and other personnel had also been prepared to make a presentation Monday night on overall jail operations, but that didnât happen after an apparent miscommunication. Bezotte tells WHMI the countyâs legal counsel wanted to meet with everyone prior to any presentation being given, which didnât happen until late Tuesday morning. Bezotte, Undersheriff Mike Murphy and jail officials met with county attorneys, Administrator Belinda Peters, Board Chair Carol Griffith, and Commissioners Ron VanHouten and Dennis Dolan for several hours. Bezotte says it was a very positive meeting and he feels that everyone is moving in the right direction and is anxious to resolve the issues. (JM/JK)
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