Bibb jail population hits lowest point in five years | Crime | Macon.com

After several months with average counts above its 966-inmate capacity, the Bibb County jail is seeing its lowest monthly average population counts in five years.

After being placed under a federal court order mandating that the county offer more bed space, Bibb County opened a $30-million jail expansion in July 2007, increasing capacity from 585.

In recent years, there’s been talk of needing another expansion. In 2012, then-Sheriff Jerry Modena proposed a $1.3 million expansion, adding 100 beds, to hold work-release and community service inmates as a part of a five-year plan.

Deputies started noticing a downward trend in the inmate population early in 2013, and that trend that has continued in recent months, Sheriff David Davis said.

On one day last week, the jail count was 817. The count has been as low as 801.

Inmate populations are decreasing in other county jails across the state, including in neighboring Houston County, Davis said. Calls seeking comment from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office were not returned.

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