Conditions at the Warren County Jail again topped the list of concerns raised in the Grand Jury Report issued by the panel meeting this week.

“We are concerned with how long it takes to make a change in the conditions of the jail,” the report stated. As with grand juries over the last five years, the panel said the issue affects jailers and deputies as well as prisoners.

“We feel that the board should investigate possible federal funding or additional means to assist with this project,” jurors wrote.

The jury was impaneled Monday under presiding Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick with the primary responsibility to review evidence in criminal cases and issue formal indictments where the evidence is sufficient to take the case to trial.

They reviewed evidence in 92 cases against 107 individuals, returning indictments in 85 of the cases. No bills, meaning not enough evidence to indict, were returned in six cases, and one case was returned to be considered by the next grand jury, which will be convened May 2 under Circuit Judge M. James Chaney.

During the week, jurors also met with Sheriff Martin Pace, Deputy Chief of Police Mitchell Dent, County Youth Court Prosecutor Ricky Johnson and Youth Court Judge Johnny Price. They visited the Youth Court and toured the Warren County Children’s Shelter and the jail.

A consultant hired in August 2008 to study needed jail facilities and optimal sites said expediting criminal cases could relieve overcrowding at the jail, which was built in 1906 and renovated in the 1970s. It can house up to 128 inmates and is usually at capacity with pre-trial detainees. City prisoners often are jailed at the Issaquena County Correctional Facility, increasing costs to cover housing and transportation.

In addition to addressing jail conditions, the grand jury recommended funding for early intervention in youth crime issues, the continued financial support by county supervisors of the Warren County Children’s Shelter and the formulation of improved instructions for grand jurors in indictment procedures.

Jurors commended District Attorney Ricky Smith and his assistant DAs and staff for their professionalism and thorough preparation.

Grand jury indictments are made public after defendants have been arraigned, or formally advised in court of the charges against them.

Defendants no-billed in this session and their original charges are:

• Michael Bester — domestic violence, third offense.

• Nicholas Brewer — aggravated assault.

• DeMichael Jones — fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer.

• Datron McKay — aggravated assault.

• Eldrae Stewart — possession of a controlled substance.

• James Thomas — domestic violence, third offense.