These two cells were the object of frustration earlier this year when the county -- as a result of a state inspection -- had to hire a specialist to install secure skylights into the re-enforced jail ceiling to allow inmates access to direct, natural sunlight.

Another break will come when the law library is converted into more cells, which should be finished before the end of the year.

The jail is the second county department to serve up a heavy financial punch to the County Legislature.

Another arm of government that deals with the criminally accused, the Public Defender's Office, is also costing more in 2007.

It has racked up $198,000 in assigned-counsel expenses so far and could need as much as $40,000 more in the coming weeks to cover all year-end bills.

draymo@pressrepublican.com