DURHAM -- An advocacy group continues to push for its own investigation into conditions at the Durham County Jail.
The Durham Jail Investigation Team, a grassroots campaign, says complaints are growing.
"Lack if mental health services, lack of cleanliness and sanitation, the poor quality of food," says member David Theurer.
The group has submitted a list of demands to county leaders.
"Access to survey 100 prisoners inside the jail. Access to the facilities to the jail, to the conditions of cells."
But county commissioners denied the request, saying they don't have the jurisdiction to allow it. Sheriff Mike Andrews shot down some of the claims but has asked the National Institute of Corrections, a federal agency, to inspect the jail and yield more recommendations. Commissioners support his move. The NIC is expected to conduct the inspection sometime this year.
"We rely on the sheriff which he is going to use a professional standards organization," says Chairman Michael Page.
In a recent report, Andrews says improvements have been made such as hiring a nutritionist. He admits that there were 12 suicide attempts last year, with eight of those inmates suffering from mental health problems. He says his office is working with the county to help those in need.
But Theurer says the issue isn't about meeting federal standards, but instead, community ones.
"We don't believe they meet , what we as a community believe, people who have not been charged and are only there because they can't pay bail should be treated as such."
Theurer says he and his group will continue to push for access inside the jail.