Ten soon, perhaps six later

The state will require Oconee to hire several more correctional officers to guard the new county jail. And the question arises as to how the county will pay for them. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw has been told by the builders that, starting Monday, May 11, the existing guard staff may begin to go into the new jail and begin to open and close doors. Meantime, Crenshaw says he has the go-ahead to hire 10 additional guards between now and July 1. Interviews with applicants have begun. An additional 10 guards may not be enough, according to the requirements of the state Department of Corrections. Crenshaw admits that, with the start of a new government year in July—the month the new jail is likely to open—-the state may require an additional six guards. When asked how Oconee will be able to afford as many as 16 new jail guards, the Sheriff said: “The money is going to have to come from somewhere.”