BRECKENRIDGE — Summit County Jail was built in 1986, when the county's population was less than half of what it is today — but it continues to serve up to 95 inmates without need for structural expansion.

Summit County Sheriff John Minor said most jails of such an age and size are overpopulated, but the philosophy of local law enforcement and justice officials has made for “smart, good use of taxpayer money.”

The jail was built with capacity for double bunks, which have been installed since the mid-90s, but otherwise no expansions have been needed.

Minor said the jail could become overpopulated “very soon” if it weren't for the emphasis across local law enforcement departments toward issuing releases on summons — a promise to appear in court — rather than making more frequent arrests.

Jails aren't cheap: Glass must be bullet resistant and walls and ceilings must be reinforced throughout the building to prevent escapes. Minor said it would cost about $500 to $1,000 per square foot, or about $20 million to expand the jail.

The jail holds between 2,000 and 2,500 inmates per year. In September the average population was 42.

Erik Bourgerie, Summit Sheriff's Office detention division commander, said there are about 100 arrests per month but that it can “go well over 200 in a busy month” and spring break is often “non-stop” for the jail.

While there are generally only about one or two inmate fights per year, Bourgerie said there were four fights by early October this year. The most recent occurred early in October, when there was a fight over which TV show to watch.

No weapons have been found on inmates in the past two years, but Minor said troublemakers go to F-block, where they can be closely monitored.

“You see the worst of human behavior in these walls all the time,” he said.

The jail has a central control center where all of Summit County Justice Center's security cameras can be monitored and controlled — and doors within the jail can be opened. It's surrounded by fortified glass and even has a personal oxygen tank in case of emergency.

Minor said there's a sense of mutual respect in the jail, but that deputies “never entirely” let their guard down.

The jail runs on a roughly $2 million budget, and each inmate gets a hot meal three times per day — averaging $2.33 per meal. There's also a registered nurse on duty. If necessary, deputies take inmates to doctor's appointments.

“They're entitled to better health care than you are,” Minor said of the inmates.

Though the state allows people to use medical marijuana with a doctor's referral, Bourgerie said possession of the drug in jail remains a felony.

Minor said Marinol — a pharmaceutical pill with synthetic THC, an active ingredient in marijuana — could be distributed.

All consumption of narcotics must be closely monitored to ensure inmates aren't selling the drugs to others or stockpiling them for suicide attempts.

“We've never had a successful suicide attempt in our jail,” Minor said as he knocked on wood.

There's also never been an escape from the jail. One person ran off during work release — to be apprehended — and another made a failed escape attempt in court after leg shackles were removed, Minor said.

Bourgerie said he'd like to begin offering general education development tests or classes at the jail, but that it's a puzzle just to maintain the budget for alcoholic's anonymous, narcotics anonymous and other re-entry programs.

“We really like to see people leave here and be successful,” he said.

Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.