Alternative Daily Cover

CANTON, Ohio — Efforts to bring the Stark County Jail to full capacity have fell short after the county issued a 0.5 percent sales tax to ensure the correctional facility reach its 502-bed capacity.

Currently at a 400-bed level, the sheriff and county council are hopeful that the jail will finally reach capacity after a significant correctional officer layoff in 2011 caused inmate numbers to dwindle.

“The efforts are being made,” said Stark County Commissioner Tom Bernabei. “But the difficulty lies in hiring.”