Video: Representative Aguirre Explains Vote On Lee County Jail Site Legislation

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A state lawmaker says he believes the Lee County Jail should stay in the city limits of Tupelo, since that city is the county seat.

Recently, Representative Shane Aguirre voted against a bill that would remove a long standing stipulation that says a county jail must be located within one mile of the courthouse.

House Bill 1463 would remove that requirement for Lee County only.  Sheriff Jim Johnson favors the bill, because he says the current jail is inadequate, and there may not be suitable sites in Tupelo.

However, Representative Shane Aguirre, who represents Tupelo, disagrees.

“I think it’s in a great location right now.  There is room down there to expand the current facility, why aren’t we looking at renovating and expanding that facility, there’s also land behind there that could be available if that current facility is inappropriate, then we could build there,”  Rep. Aguirre said.

HB 1463 passed the House and is now in the Senate.   The 2017 session wraps up in two weeks.    Sheriff Jim Johnson , along with Lee County Supervisors, are visiting a jail in Hattiesburg later this week, to get possible ideas for a new Lee County Jail.