A fire inspector this week told the Pitt County Detention Center to reduce its inmate population by 104 inmates, but now that's on hold as there appears to be some dispute over just what is the occupancy level of the jai.

Sheriff Mac Manning said the order would immediately force moving inmates out to other counties and restrict admissions to 404 inmates.

But Thursday afternoon Fire Rescue Chief Mike Burton says there are questions just what the legal occupancy is for the jail. In a news release, Burton says until that is determined, no additional action will be taken by the city.

Burton said they received a telephone complaint last Friday that the jail was operating with too many prisoners. He said since the initial inspection, there has been a series of discussions between city and county officials as they seek the "appropriate resolution".

On Monday the inmate count was 508. The fire department told the jail to make the changes within five days, but now that is on hold.

Click the link above to view the fire department report

The jail was built in 1993 and was added on in 1997. Manning says the inspector's order wa ill-timed, considering that the county is set to open up a 192 bed addition within the next three months and has also received state permission to operate the jail with a capacity of 596 inmates.