© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Marion Co. Jail Overcrowding Leads To Inmates Sleeping On Floor

The Marion County Sheriff's Office says at least 16 inmates at its Indianapolis jail have been sleeping on mattresses on the floor in holding cells due to overcrowding.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Katie Carlson tells television station WRTV the "jail overpopulation crisis is ongoing," but she notes two spikes in the jail population in recent weeks resulted in mattresses being used on the floor. Officials are working to deal with the issue.

A memo from Sheriff John Layton says the jail reached "crisis" level, or 95 percent of capacity, in early 2016. Earlier this month, the station says the jail was over its capacity of 1,135.

Some other Indiana jails have reported overcrowding. Jail officials say a factor is a state law that sends low-level offenders from state prisons to county jails.

Tags