Those close to the Calaveras County Jail construction project say the facility is almost complete, but won't be ready for inmates until January.

This, they say, is the earliest the jail will be able to open.  County Sheriff Gary Kutz said the problem is largely tied to construction delays, and is frustrated that his target pre-December opening has been pushed back by several months.

This not only impacts inmates, he said, but has prevented him from completing a study about jail staffing levels.  A presentation has been scheduled before the County Board of Supervisors for months, but each date keeps getting …