Walsh County officials ponder the future as jail vote nears

Walsh County officials ponder the future as jail vote nears

GRAFTON, N.D. — If a referendum to fund the creation of a new Walsh County jail and sheriff’s office fails, it won’t be long before the existing jail closes, said the county sheriff and the courthouse judge. District Court Judge Barbara Whelan said the Walsh County Jail could close in a year, based on the issues it’s facing. The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been reducing the number of beds available at the jail o…