For the safety and security of the inmates and staff, Ray County Sheriff Gary Blackwell closed the Ray County Jail on Jan. 1, his first day in office. Inmates will be sent to jails in Harrison and Lafayette counties, as well as the Daviess-Dekalb Regional Jail. During this time, the facility will be audited by a detention facility consultant to determine the future of the jail and what would be needed to bring the facility up to meet compliance. “I toured the jail with the Ray County Commissioners,” said Blackwell. “They were pretty shocked. I determined at that point it was best that we close the jail, at least temporarily, to evaluate the conditions and possibilities of improvement.” The current jail has sanitary plumbing issues, including water lines that freeze in the cold. There are electrical issues, a lack of proper lighting and damage from escape attempts, all of which present dangers to staff and inmates. During the closure, a portion of the jail will continue to operate…