The need for a new county jail headed the list of recommendations made by the Warren County grand jury, which was convened this week.

A new jail has topped grand jury reports for the better part of a decade.

“This grand jury feels strongly that this issue is of vital importance to our community as it relates to the working conditions of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as well as the safety and morale of the jailers and prisoners,” the report states, “and we feel that the board should investigate possible federal funding or additional means to assist with this project.”

The Warren County Jail was built in 1906 and renovated in the 1970s. It can house up to 128 inmates and is usually at capacity with pre-trial detainees. City prisoners often are jailed at the Issaquena County Correctional Facility, increasing costs to cover housing and transportation.

In 2009, a consultant was hired by the Board of Supervisors to study the county’s jail needs and recommend a potential site for a new jail. Guidelines said 20 to 50 acres will be needed to build a jail capable of housing at least 350 inmates

This term of the grand jury recommended that land near the Ceres Industrial complex at Flowers or a 16th Section parcel be considered for a building site.

“We recommend that a new facility be built that is in accreditation with state standards that can house not only pre-trial inmates but state inmates as well,” jurors wrote. “(I)t is our hope this project will come to fruition as soon as possible.”

The grand jury was selected and sworn in Monday by presiding Circuit Judge M. James Chaney. They completed their duties Friday, reviewing evidence in criminal cases, issuing indictments against defendants or no-bills where they found insufficient evidence to go to trial. They reviewed 105 cases involving 118 defendants, returning indictments in 94 cases and eight no bills and continuing three cases to the next term.

The panel of 18 jurors also toured the jail, the county Children’s Shelter and the Youth Court. They also met with Sheriff Martin Pace, County Prosecutor Richard Johnson and Youth Court Judge Johnny Price.

Their report of recommendations also included:

• Continued and extra funding for youth court, and for citizens to make a greater attempt to “understand the process and mission” of the court.

• Continued support from the Board of Supervisors for the children’s shelter, as well as regular patrols there by law enforcement.

The Warren County grand jury meets four times a year, in January, May, July and October.