GULFPORT, Miss. -- Sheriff Melvin Brisolara and supervisors said Monday they will consider going to court if the Justice Department doesn't release the county from the consent decree it has been under for nearly 16 years.
Brisolara met recently with representatives from the federal department and said now they want someone to oversee the treatment of the prisoners with AIDS, as well as more mental health professionals.
"There's no reason for this to have gone on as long as it has," he told the Board of Supervisors. "It's a moving target."
The Justice Department issued the comprehensive court order in 1998, requiring the county to relieve jail overcrowding and improve inmate conditions and officer training.
But the sheriff said he meets with them about every six months, and federal officials come up with new requirements.
"At what point do we say 'enough is enough' and go to court?" said Supervisor Marlin Ladner.
"I think if they come back and we've done what they wanted and they come up with something else, we need to go to court," said William Martin, president of the board. "I'm tired of this."
Brisolara said he will meet with the representatives again in about six months.
"I think we're getting close," he said. "I feel confident."
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