There will be a new Ray County Jail. The only question is whether to build it now by voting yes Tuesday or to kick it down the road, selfishly leaving others to do later what should be done now. A new jail is needed. The present structure is a glorified sheet metal shed built “on the cheap” by private investors who did not follow American Correctional Association or fire safety guidelines. Registered architect Shawn Harding with HMN Architects said the building is not safe for occupany. “By code, I couldn’t house anybody in there right now,” Harding, the firm’s business development director, said. “Wood framing is flammable. You’ve got people housed in there that aren’t free to exit. It’s a death trap. I had an old sheriff one time call (a similar jail) a wood-fired pizza oven. … “Institutional occupancy requires sprinklers.” Other problems resulting from the poor construction start with the foundation. The base is set too low, causing constant dampness and mold. In the attic,…