BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Bakersfield officials say a shortage of jail beds is fueling frustration across the community, with criminals often being arrested and released within hours.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said the county jail is operating at 90% capacity, leaving little room to house new inmates.

“We’re overwhelmed with inmates. We receive an average of 83 new bookings a day. When someone comes in, someone else gets released. There’s no easy solution,” Youngblood said.

Of the more than 1,900 inmates currently housed at the Lerdo facility, 136 are awaiting trial on murder or attempted murder charges, while another 169 have been convicted of murder. Youngblood said more than 100 inmates sentenced to state prison are still being held locally because of a backlog in the s

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