The Latah County Sheriff’s Office Jail in Moscow will undergo a transition to serve as a court holding and daytime booking facility, with local inmates being housed at the jail in Lewiston.

This change follows the Moscow jail’s failure to meet inspection standards, as the facility, built in 1972, does not comply with current jail requirements. A statement from the sheriff’s office indicates that renovating the existing jail would require an investment of approximately 13 million dollars, with officials noting that such upgrades would only extend the jail’s utility for an additional five to ten years. Constructing a new jail is projected to cost a similar amount.

The transition is expected to occur before October, during which the Moscow jail will be used primarily for daytime bookings and for inmates attending court appearances. Arrests made during normal court hours will be processed at the Latah County Jail before inmates are transported to the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office Jail in Lewiston. For arrests made outside of regular hours, individuals will also be taken to the Lewiston facility. Inmates will then be returned to Moscow for their court appearances, meaning that they will not be held overnight at the Moscow facility.

This transition is intended to provide local officials with the necessary time to develop a plan and consider funding options for a prospective new jail. The Latah County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with county commissioners and the City of Moscow as they work towards a long-term solution regarding jail facilities.