The Ray County Sheriff’s Office has announced substantial improvements to the Ray County Jail following a comprehensive evaluation conducted in early 2025. These upgrades address safety, security and operational concerns identified by outside auditors and detention experts. The jail was temporarily closed on Jan. 1, 2025, for all but short-term holding due to concerns regarding plumbing failures, structural issues, inadequate lighting and other safety risks. During this period, staff received additional training focused on safety, inmate management and operational readiness. All new staff members are now required to complete a mandatory training period before being released for full duty. After significant progress was made, the jail safely reopened in June 2025 and has remained operational since that time. Major improvements completed at the facility include repainting interior walls throughout the building and expanded use of outdoor recreation when weather permits. A new indoor…