Leaky faucets. Dripping pipes. Having 7 people in your room. Water damaging your papers. Being stuck in the same room for 24 hours a day. No fire escape plan. No protections for those who are disabled. For Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp, his staff, and the inmates at Taylorville Correctional Facility, this is a regular daily occurrence.  A facility that was originally set to house 20 inmates, has swelled pre-covid to over 80 inmates and has presented multiple issues including multiple leaks and overcrowding. Sheriff Kettelkamp is hoping you will vote yes on the new Safety Tax to help build a new jail for Christian County.

When Taylorville Correctional Facility was built, there was never a thought that there would be that many inmates inside. It was a top-notch facility, with a gym, library, a nice sized kitchen, an eating area, and extra amenities. However, as the jail swelled with inmates, the extra amenities started going away as the facility needed extra space for the inmates. Pretty soon, any rec hours were gone, as there was just no place for the inmates to go. These are not inmates that have even been found guilty yet. Sheriff Kettelkamp says most of these inmates do not get any time out of their jail cell for any reason, some having been in the same room for over a year.

Kettlekamp says that while he is opposed to taxes, this will help get a new jail for just pennies on the dollar.

Sheriff Kettlekamp doesn’t believe that the new law will not put fewer people in jail when it comes down to Judges to decide on bond amounts.

The election is set for April 6th.