Sheriff Jim Hensley is holding townhalls talking with residents about why prisoners are being released early.

Sheriff Hensley says the forum are to inform the public about the situation.

"Does Crook County need a new jail?  Absolutely!  But I am not advocating that.  This is not the time, we can't afford it.  It's just like buying a new car.  If you don't have the funds, you don't buy a new car,  you make due with what we have.

Crook County's jail has 16 beds and the county rents 16 more beds from Jefferson County.

In 1999, Crook County residents narrowly voted down a bond issue to build a new jail.