Astoria, OR — Over two dozen inmates were released early from the Coos County Jail after officials confirmed that the facility’s capacity was halved due to a lack of funding. The decision comes after a key tax levy measure, Measure 6-217, failed in the November election.
The measure, which aimed to raise funds for maintaining jail staff and expanding the facility’s capacity, would have imposed a five-year tax rate of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. However, voters rejected the levy, leaving the county sheriff’s office to find alternative solutions to address the budget shortfall.
As a result, the Coos County Jail is now operating with significantly fewer resources. The reduction in capacity has led to the early release of inmates, with more than two dozen individuals being freed ahead of schedule. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the move was necessary to manage the strain on jail operations caused by the budget cuts.
The loss of the funding has placed additional pressure on local law enforcement, who are now faced with limited options for managing the incarcerated population. Jail officials have expressed concerns about the long-term impacts on public safety and the ability to maintain adequate staff levels without the necessary funding.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by many counties when proposed tax measures are not approved. Without the additional financial resources, facilities like the Coos County Jail are forced to make difficult decisions that can have far-reaching consequences for the community.
