Broome County Jail Closes Units Due to Fewer Inmates

Sections of the Broome County Jail are no longer in use because the number of inmates being held at the facility has decreased in the last several weeks.

Sheriff David Harder said 350 inmates were housed at the 600-bed jail in the town of Dickinson on Wednesday. He said the jail population had typically ranged from 450 to 500 inmates.

Harder said a multi-purpose unit that had a capacity of 40 beds was closed last month as the inmate count declined as a result of the state bail reform law.

The sheriff said the "K" dorm at the jail, which housed 15 female inmates also was being shut down. He said those inmates were being moved to another part of the facility.

New medical and housing units opened at the jail less than three years ago as part of a $6 million expansion project.

Harder said the county jail now has 181 employees. The facility's current budget includes funding for 189 workers.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.