McPherson County jail hits maximum capacity, forcing out-of-county transfers
A backlog at Larned State Hospital leaves inmates waiting up to seven months, prompting costly relocations to Rice County.
MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County jail is operating at its maximum capacity of 60 inmates, forcing local law enforcement to transfer inmates to Rice County at additional cost to taxpayers.
Sheriff Jerry Montagne told the Board of County Commissioners about the capacity crisis during his weekly update. The facility is currently holding 53 men and seven women. Montagne cited state-level bottlenecks as a contributing factor, saying some inmates have been held in the county jail for up to seven months while awaiting evaluation transfers to Larned State Hospital.
Despite the backlog, Montagne said McPherson County is processing transfers faster than some neighboring jurisdictions, with certain nearby counties experiencing wait times of up to a year and a half.
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