News 12 at 6 o'clock, November 17, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---The numbers just don't add up for Augusta. The jails have more inmates than beds for them to sleep in. The solution is going to cost millions.

The Charles Webster Detention Center is a place where a long lonely walk leads to time behind bars for hundreds of men and women.

"There's always gonna be crime," said Captain Chester Huffman. "There's gonna be somebody that needs to be locked up."

Overcrowded jails, missing, and molding ceiling tiles---all forcing the city to break ground on a new building.

"Folks care about people who need incarceration being incarcerated," said Captain Huffman.

$20 million in sales tax money will fuel a much needed expansion.

"If you build it they will come," said Captain Huffman.

There are 659 inmates at the Webster Detention Center. There are only 554 beds. That leaves inmates sleeping on the floor.

"It's not really a debatable issue," said Captain Huffman. "They're not sleeping on top of each other."

But do the numbers add up in your favor? There are 2 jails with more than 1,150 inmates. There are only a little more than 900 beds between the two. That leaves 250 inmates too many.

"The easiest solution is build the jail, make the jail space, and hope that it doesn't fill up too soon," said Captain Huffman.

The jail expansion will make room for more than 170 inmates, and a 100 bed medical unit.

"Let me tell you something," said Charles Webster. "If you take this person and train him, and he becomes self supportive, look at what you've done."

Former sheriff Charles Webster should know. His name is on the building.

"When you see one come along and do good it makes you feel good," said Webster. "It makes you feel real good."

Work is expected to begin as early as next week. The project will take about 2 years to complete. This is phase one of a three phase expansion project planned over the next 20 years.

The second phase would close the current Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way. All inmates would be relocated to the Webster Detention Center. You will have the final say. The city wants to continue using sales tax dollars. That requires your okay in the next SPLOST package.