AUBURN — The Maine Department of Corrections gave the Androscoggin County Jail a near perfect score on its biennial inspection report.

The jail at 40 Pleasant St. received a perfect score for all mandatory standards and received a score of 98.9 for essential standards for one issue. The only area of noncompliance was with jail capacity, over which the jail has little control. The facility has exceeded its state-rated head count of 160 inmates on numerous occasions.

The inspections were conducted June 16-17 by Penny Gibson, RN, Maine Department of Corrections Health Care Services manager; Cheryl Preble, Maine Department of Corrections correctional accreditation manager; and Steven French, Maine Department of Corrections Correctional Operations manager. During the inspection, the team interviewed staff and random inmates on a variety of issues.

The inspection included areas of administration, accounting and inmate records, training, safety and security, staffing and inmate supervision, admissions and releases of inmates. Also, inmate classifications, inmate separation, inmate discipline, special management inmates, inmate communications, medical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, outside services, food services, inmate services and activities, inmate programs, release programs and sanitation and living conditions.

“We are pleased with the results and appreciate our entire staffs efforts in meeting the standards as well as the culture within the facility which benefits us greatly in overseeing the inmate population,” Sheriff Eric Samson said.

Samson said he was especially pleased that the facility was recognized for keeping up with its maintenance and cleanliness levels despite the overcrowding.

To address overcrowding, the county has paid to house inmates at jails across the state, including as far away as Piscataquis County, which hurts the jail budget.

The jail inmate population ranged from 190-200 inmates per day this past winter, with a high of 236 inmates. Samson noted a downward trend in June, when the population usually begins to spike in the summer. June’s population averaged 162 inmates, he said.

With a year-and-a-half remaining on his four-year term, Samson said he is planning to run for reelection. He wants to see to completion the new Sheriff’s Office on Center Street and to promote the project to county voters, who must approve a bond to fund the construction.

Androscoggin County commissioners are likely to discuss the project at their next meeting July 16.