Oregon Public Broadcasting

Lane County Commissioners are trying to block a judge's orders to keep an inmate behind bars. 

Last month, Judge Gregory Foote took the unusual step of ordering a man convicted of domestic violence be held - either in Lane County or an adjacent jurisdiction.

In recent years, jail space has been particularly tight, and many inmates have been released because of overcrowding.

This week, Lane County Commissioners discussed the Judge's order behind closed doors. Wednesday they approved a legal challenge with virtually no public discussion.

Commissioner Faye Stewart was the lone dissenter.

Faye Stewart "I believe there should have been at a minimum, an explanation to the public - what the action was, why it was necessary. That didn't take place."

Judge Foote has not returned calls for comment. As of noon Friday, the inmate, Dustin Witherspoon, was still being housed at a Community Corrections Facility within Lane county.