Associated Press - November 20, 2009 1:34 PM ET
CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) - Canyon County commissioners in southwestern Idaho have agreed to pay $190,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union for legal fees stemming from a federal lawsuit the group filed earlier this year.
The lawsuit filed in January in U.S. District Court on behalf of 6 inmates claimed conditions at the Canyon County Jail amounted to cruel and inhumane treatment of inmates.
In August, county officials and the ACLU signed an agreement that requires officials to closely monitor the jail population to avoid overcrowding. The county also agreed to maintain and repair heating, cooling and plumbing systems within two days of a problem developing.
Commissioner Steve Rule says he's not comfortable paying the money but the county would likely have faced a larger bill if it hadn't reached the settlement on Thursday.
Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com
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