Published: November 29, 2008 09:34 pm         

Lauderdale jail to take Meridian inmates

MERIDIAN — Meridian and Lauderdale County have ended a stalemate over the housing of city inmates in the county jail.

The board of supervisors and the city council worked out an agreement this week.

The city had a temporary contract with Newton County, but it ended abruptly when officials there decided room is needed for Newton County inmates being picked up during court proceedings.

Instead of releasing 16 misdemeanor offenders housed in Decatur, Meridian agreed to pay Lauderdale County the $30-a-day inmate fee originally requested by supervisors.

The city was paying Newton County $20 per inmate per day.

Lauderdale County agreed to take no more than 35 misdemeanor city inmates at a time because of space concerns.