7/31/93
By: Martha Parsons
Courier-Post Staff Writer

Forty-five female prisoners from a St. Louis jail were transferred to the Marion County Jail Friday because the St. Louis facility is threatened by flood waters, Marion County Sheriff Dan Campbell said. The St. Louis jail Friday night, though, was still dry.

"It was my understanding (the move) was a precautionary measure and itıs indefinite ... how long (they'll stay)," he said.

A sheriffıs department spokeswoman said eight more female prisoners from the St. Louis County Department of Justice Service may also be moved to Marion County later Friday night.

"Theyıre afraid (flood waters) could come over tonight," she said.

Prisoners guilty of everything from felonies to misdemeanors were transported. The additional prisoners will mean more money for the Marion County Jail, which has suffered lower revenues than expected because of low numbers of prisoners since the jailıs construction in 1992. The jail spokeswoman did not know, though, how much money the jail will make because of the transfers.

"Weıre fully equipped for them and we've already sent them two meals, so as far as handling them, we're just having to go through the whole process of rebooking them ...," she said.

Also, jailers made sure the prisoners hadnıt picked up any weapons or other objects during the move before giving them their orange inmate jumpsuits.

Winfield shelter moves kitchen
The flooded Mississippi river has also forced other agencies to move. The Red Cross shelter in Winfield moved its kitchen staff and food to Troy Friday so it could accommodate more flood victims, volunteer Dick Anstey said. The rest of the shelter services, though, will remain in Winfield.

"I feel we can improve the overall quality and service to our recipients," he said.

The agency decided to move the kitchen because the Winfield Intermediate School needs to repair and do maintenance work to the building in preparation for school this fall. Also, the new kitchen is bigger and can feed more people, Anstey said.

The Red Cross in Winfield has been feeding Winfield flood victims and shelter residents. They will expand their services to include residents living in campsites and temporary trailers who cannot reach the shelter, he said.

Anstey did not know the specific location for the kitchen.

Carnahan here today
In other flood news, Gov. Mel Carnahan will survey flood damage during a helicopter tour of Hannibal Saturday afternoon. Carnahan will be visiting Hannibal as part of a Northeast Missouri tour with Missouri National Guard Adjutant Gen. Ray Pendergrass.

The river level at Hannibal was 27.3 feet at 7 p.m. Friday, a National Weather Service spokesman said. That was an increase of one-tenth of a foot since 11 a.m. Friday.