Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade says thanks to some much needed funding – he will soon be able to address some serious overcrowding issues at the county jail.

Wade says they’re having serious problems not only with overcrowding at the jail, but with staffing as well, saying they need space, personnel and a decent wage to keep personnel; he went on to say they’ve never been above 530 inmates until this year and at 643 inmates it’s a very dangerous situation.  Last Saturday inmate Demetrius Akles escaped from jail, but he was recaptured that evening.

Sheriff Wade has been meeting with Calhoun County Commissioner Tim Hodges and State Senator Del Marsh to discuss the problem and this week he announced that Marsh was able to get $500,000 for the county commission for “some immediate relief” for officers.

Wade said they’ve also developed a plan for the next legislative session to find what he calls “a permanent funding solution” and ways to reduce the jail population.

We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops over time.

(al.com/www.al.com)