Sheriff suggests 'tent' jail to ease crowding

Jul. 23--A compound on county-owned property complete with razor wire, chain-link fencing, canvas tents and portable showers and toilets dubbed "Camp Beaufort" may be Beaufort County's best chance to quickly alleviate crowding in the Beaufort County Detention Center, said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. New immigration-related legislation from the state and Beaufort County, coupled with the promise of additional immigration enforcement from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, stands to put more pressure on a jail already exceeding its capacity by more than 150 inmates. With countywide audits underway to verify federally required employee records, a state law cracking down on businesses that willingly hire illegal immigrants,and five new Sheriff's Office Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents expected to generate... [read full story]