Judge Says Indiana Jail Suit Can Cover More Inmates

A federal judge has granted class action status to a lawsuit that contends that the Monroe County Jail in Indiana is overcrowded.

The suit filed in February by the ACLU of Indiana on behalf of inmate Trevor Richardson says inmates are forced to sleep in the gymnasium, eat cold meals and are given few opportunities for recreation.

Class action status means that other jail inmates can join the suit.

Monroe County attorney Bill Steger says the county will ask the judge to reconsider his order.

County Sheriff Jim Kennedy says work is under way to expand the jail in Bloomington. He said the jail has a beds for 250 inmates, but now houses between 280 and 290 inmates.

ACLU of Indiana legal director Ken Falk says he doesn’t think the expansion is fast enough.

Source: The Herald Times.