State prisoner backup in local jails increases significantly

ATLANTA - The number of state prisoners backed up in county jails around Georgia increased by 61 percent during the past twelve months.

That's according to a report from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The prisoners are being held in county jails because there is a shortage of beds in the state prison system.

But a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution there are plans in place that will help alleviate the backlog of state prisoners in local jails. Joan Heath says they include triple-bunking inmates at some prisons and adding 2,300 beds to existing prison space between now and next summer.