ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- Sheriff Bobby Guidroz is addressing overcrowding issues in the parish jail by building a trustee dormitory across the street.

The building is expected to open in January. Once it opens, 68 trustees can be moved into the facility and free up space in the jail.

Over the last several months, there has been discussion between the sheriff and Parish President Jesse Bellard concerning overcrowding at the parish jail and expenses the parish government pays to care for St. Landry Parish inmates at other facilities.

"I want to help parish government. I understand you're spending a lot of money every month to house inmates," the sheriff said to the parish council this week.

Bellard said in October that the parish government pays $26 per day to house inmates across the state as a result of the parish jail being overcrowded.

Guidroz said moving 68 inmates into the new facility across the street from the parish jail will save the parish government "a lot of money."

The sheriff believes the dorm will be successful. He noted that housing St. Landry Parish inmates in the parish jail is beneficial to family members who don't have the means to travel to Angola or other state penitentiaries.

Inmates housed in the parish will also have the ability to work in community services for litter abatement, painting buildings, or grass cutting.

"I'm thankful that the trustee dorm is going to work well. It's going to be able to house those folks that, number one, need to work. They're learning a trade. And number two, the families will have their loved ones here close by," the sheriff said.

Guidroz will also be working with parish government to cover other expenses including feeding state inmates to be a helping hand.

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