NORWICH – The prisoner population across New York is decreasing, a reflection of reality in Chenango County as Sheriff Ernest Cutting begins to scrutinize his budget.

Only 75 criminals are incarcerated at the county jail, versus a daily average of 105. The jail’s capacity for approximately 130.

“We’re in a down slump,” said the sheriff. “I’m hoping it comes back up, as it usually does from July to December.”

The number includes nine out-of-county inmates who traditionally, at $85 per day, help afford operations and maintenance costs at the six-year-old Public Safety Facility on Upper Ravine Road in Norwich. As a result, the jail has taken in just $120,000 in prisoner charges after the first quarter through April 30. This year, budgeters projected $630,000 from the revenue stream, a number less than the $851,000 taken in last year, but more than the $562,000 in 2010.

Upon hearing Sheriff Cutting’s report last week, Safety and Rules Committee Chairman Jack Cook, R-Greene, said, “We have a long way to go.”