LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- With a number of questions in recent years regarding the overpopulation at the Lafayette Parish Jail, the sheriff's office released a detailed breakdown of some of the issues they face when it comes to housing inmates.

In a presentation from the sheriff's office, it's said the jail has 739 beds. However, "real capacity" is impacted by legal mandates that require certain inmates to be separated, making many of the beds unusable. One example is gender separation.

"This situation demands that the female offender be isolated in a pod with 26 beds, meaning that 25 beds cannot be used for any other male inmates at this time. Additionally, the pod next door cannot be used for male inmates either, creating a total of 51 unusable beds," the presentation said.

Additional classifications are violent and non-violent offenders, juveniles, physically disabled and mental health inmates.

But with 16-24 new inmates each day, and only short-term solutions, what can be done to make long-term differences?

"For the safety of our community, it's crucial to address the systemic challenges facing our correctional facilities, beginning with LPCC," the presentation said.

The sheriff's office says Lafayette Parish Government needs to take full advantage of all possible resources including preset bonds, opening state mental institutions, diversionary programs, and plea agreements.

"Public safety is threatened more and more each day by the failures identified within the criminal justice system. LPSO needs the help of those with the authority to approve these jail management programs and systematic solutions to get the LPCC population crisis under control," the presentation said.

According to Lafayette Consolidated Government there has been no progress on building a new jail since the estimated cost of the latest renderings is about $190 million and only adds 93 beds to the jail population.

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