The Lorain city jail temporarily shut down Sunday due to a staff shortage.
Jail administrator Mike Hendershot said there were nine inmates in jail at the time.
When the jail closed Sunday, because of a shortage of manpower, seven inmates who committed crimes of violence had to be transferred to the county jail, half an hour each way by police officers. This resulted in fewer officers patrolling the streets.
Two other inmates arrested for criminal damaging, criminal trespassing and theft were cut loose before seeing a judge or posting bond.
Hendershot said they're supposed to be six guards, but they're down to four after two left, that means there are not enough guards to staff the jail 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Hendershot said the last time the jail closed for four years those who were not accused of a violent crime knew they could not be arrested, and mocked police.
"We kind of lost control of the city at that point in time, I hate to say it like that, but instead people who needed to go to jail were released," Hendershot said. "If it was a non-violent offense we would just issue them a citation, summons in lieu of a physical arrest and they would be free to do what they wanted to do on the street if they so choose,” Hendershot said.
The jail reopened Sunday night.
