Injunction Issued to Yadkin Commissioners Over Jail Delays

The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, including its chair, Chad Wagoner, were all served with an injunction Wednesday, Nov. 18 by Superior Court Judge John Craig due to delays in construction of a new Yadkin County jail.

The old Yadkin County jail was shut down in August 2009 due to overcrowding. Voters approved the funding for a new $8.2 million jail in 2007, but construction has not begun at the Hoots Road location just outside Yadkinville.

Neighbors have blocked construction in court, preferring a downtown jail.

County Commissioner Brady Wooten heads a committee that explores a downtown location, but Judge Craig's injunction has halted the committee, which he views as a stalling tactic to construction.

The county has been spending between $45 and $62 a day to house inmates in neighboring counties. Commissioner Wagoner says taxpayers that funded new schools and the jail two years ago should get their money's worth.

"As of last month both of our two new middle schools are open. Our jail, on the other hand, we've not even broken ground on it. If I was a tax payer in the county I would be very upset over that." Wagoner said.

The commissioners are required to meet with Judge Craig January 8, 2010.