SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind – Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom said Monday that the number of arrests over the past five years has continued to increase.

A total of 962 inmates were booked into the jail in 2017. An increase of more than 20%.

Officers from state, county and local departments arrested 239 persons for drug related offenses, 226 were arrested for theft, and another 200 were arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Here are the numbers calculated for the required annual report:

 

2013:  797 – arrests.

2014:  729 – arrests.

2015:  829 – arrests.

2016:  880 – arrests.

2017: 962 – arrests.

 

The highest daily population experienced at the jail was in July of 2017, when the facility held 93 inmates.

When the jail opened in 1984 it was designed to house 34 inmates, however several renovations have occurred over the past 30 years.

The jail has currently has 54 fixed beds, with an additional 20 polymer beds. Anytime the population increases over 74 temporary cots are utilized.

When the population decreases, the jail houses inmates for neighboring counties. That revenue is used to make improvements to the facility.

Sheriff Cottom said current renovations are underway to the facility’s showers. The original showers made of iron are being replaced with new stainless steel units.