Sangamon County Jail infrastructure was affected twice this week after work mishaps near the facility. Sheriff Paula Crouch said contractors working on the Springfield Rail Improvements Project and the new transportation HUB struck a water pipe in the alley behind the jail on Monday, disrupting water service to the jail and sheriff’s office.
Crouch said bottled water was provided to inmates and normal operations resumed Tuesday morning. The sheriff said contractors in the same area struck an underground power line on Wednesday morning, knocking out power to the jail, sheriff’s office and parts of the courthouse.
Backup generators operated essential systems and power was restored overnight. Crouch said inmates continued to receive meals and bottled water, and staff monitored temperatures in the facility which ranged from 72 to 78 degrees with plans in place if conditions worsened.
