Judge: County must take steps to improve jail

DETROIT (AP) — A judge says Wayne County must take steps to improve the conditions of its jail, where maintenance has been put off amid a project to build a new jail.

The Detroit Free Press reports the opinion from Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny says problems include a crumbling kitchen floor that cannot be cleaned to prevent insect and rodent infestations as well as non-functioning elevators and summer cooling problems.

Kenny says maintenance halted after officials decided in 2011 to build the new jail, which is on hold.

Kenny ordered officials to create maintenance plan, speed up the hiring process and complete health assessments and physical examinations for inmates.

Wayne County sheriff’s spokeswoman Paula Bridges says the department is working to resolve the problems.