Inmates at the Livingston County Jail will have to do without television for a while. That after someone in cell area six broke the locked electrical cover and damaged the socket, leaving obvious burns on the outlet.

Sheriff Steve Cox says inmates were warned last month that the budget for jail repairs was exhausted and the next damage to the electrical system would result in the loss of their TVs.

By noon Tuesday, the sheriff made good on that warning, removing all televisions from the jail. He says they are required to treat all detainees equally.

The detainees were advised of the problem and Cox says if they see additional damage to the jail the only area they have to spend money for needed repairs is from the jail food budget.

Cox says an investigation is underway into the identity of the suspect or suspects who damaged the socket. He says an electrician will take a look at the electrical outlets to make sure they are safe.

Cox says detainees have in the past forced items into electrical outlets to light contraband or dried vegetables to smoke. The Livingston County Jail is a 48-bed facility, and currently houses 43 detainees.