WARREN, Ohio - Trumbull County Jail administrators are making a plea for a more reliable heating system. 

Temperature fluctuations in the building were a major issue over the weekend when the boilers went out three separate times causing slightly colder conditions. 

“It’s hard to plan the day when you don't know weather you’re coming into 70 degrees or 58 degrees or 85 degrees,” Major David Bobby, the Jail Administrator said. 

County maintenance was able to fix the boilers when they went out but even the slightest drop has a big effect on the inmates. 

“They don't have an option to go put on a sweatshirt or put on an extra pair of socks or something like that so it’s crucial that the temperatures kind stay at a steady temperature," Major Bobby said. 

“Although its jail, we have to be humane with what we do and this is something that not having heat is a major problem,” Denny Malloy, Trumbull County Commissioner said. 

Malloy said county commissioners previously used ARP money to repair pipes in the boilers but now are committed to bringing in two brand new ones.

“We just can't keep putting money into boilers and just temporary fixing the problem. We have to correct the problem for once and all,” Tony Bernard, Trumbull County Commissioner said. 

On top of the heat, administrators say plumbing is a problem with toilets not flushing and water coming from the ceiling. Commissioners said the plumbing problems have been long standing since the jail was built and will be addressed after the heat. 

“I wish we had a new jail, unfortunately that's not going to happen at the moment but there are several things at that jail that were done improperly,” Rick Hernandez, Trumbull County Commissioner said. 

The commissioners still need to have engineers look at the boilers then put the replacement project out for bid. The cost is unclear but could be in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the jail does have heat with one working boiler. If both boilers ever go out and could not be turned back on by maintenance Major Bobby said they do have a plan in place to keep the inmates where they are and provide more blankets and bring in an alternative heating source to stay warm.