JASPER, Ark.—The Newton County Jail, where two inmates committed suicide earlier this year, currently holds no inmates after Sheriff Keith Slope temporarily closed the facility.

That situation could become permanent if the jail isn’t brought up to state standards, county officials have been told by the Arkansas Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee.

Following the two suicides, questions were raised about the jail’s safety, and Slope sent its inmates to the Carroll County Jail.

The state jail standards panel has sent Newton County Judge Harold Smith—the county’s top elected administrator, not a judicial officer—a letter concerning the jail.

That letter listed problems found in jail inspections, which the county was told about but hasn’t corrected.

“This is not a safe facility,” the letter said.

The letter says the committee will inspect the jail again after six months and, if those problems haven’t been corrected it may ask the attorney general’s office to take court action.

Randy Rankin, coordinator of the jail standards committee, said the panel will work with the county to help remedy its problems.

Newton County isn’t the only one in Arkansas with jail problems, he said.

“We try to help the jails, not hurt them,” Rankin said. “There have been several counties in the same situation.”