Elko County Jail Hits Record Number of Inmates

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A new addition to the Elko County Jail, which includes 84 beds, helped the jail reach an all-time high inmate population.

The Elko Daily Free Press reports that Undersheriff Clair Morris says there were 166 inmates at one point over the weekend. He says that is the most number of inmates the jail has ever had. In recent weeks, the jail has only averaged between 140 and 150.

The older section of the jail had a capacity of 120 people. The new addition was completed in May, but it wasn't used for several weeks due to a fire safety issue.

Morris said Monday a female section of the jail is also under construction and will likely be completed in coming weeks.