The 50-plus inmates of the Vance County Detention Center could find themselves in a different jail soon – at least temporarily – while contractors replace old doors to provide better security.

The Vance County Commissioners approved spending up to $90,000 to pay for the inmates’ stays at other facilities, but there’s one condition: Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame must get, in writing, confirmation from the contractor that the work can and will be done within a 30-day period.

During that 30-day window, the jail would be closed as far as housing inmates is concerned. Closing a jail sounds like a severe measure, but it is what needs to happen for  the repairs and installations to be completed.

Brame and longtime sheriff’s office employee Weldon Bullock were at the commissioners’ meeting Monday to make the request. They shared details of yet another example of unsafe conditions at the jail – an inmate lay unconscious for at least five minutes after being attacked in a fight over the weekend.

He was transported to Duke University Hospital and had surgery for a broken eye socket, Bullock reported during his remarks to the commissioners. He also stated that the doors are broken and can’t be secured properly. But physical conditions aside, Bullock said what really bothered him was that the inmate could have died. “The guy could have laid there and died – I don’t want somebody to get killed because we can’t lock the doors.”

The new doors have been purchased and are ready to be installed, to the tune of about $400,000. Once the sheriff gets written confirmation from the contractor that the work can be done within a 30-day period, the plan can proceed.

As chief law enforcement officer in the county, the sheriff is responsible for the hiring and firing of employees within the sheriff’s office, but salaries and other capital expenses are the responsibility of the county commissioners.

Brame has long said that the county needs a new jail and more staff to adequately cover the jail. The facility has gotten deficiencies on state inspection reports for various problems, from broken doors to non-functioning cameras and peeling paint.

A comprehensive feasibility study was initiated last year to evaluate the jail and to help county leaders decide whether to repair or replace the 30-year-old structure.

The Vance County Jail will close for thirty days to replace doors.