Envisioning the Future of our Jails -We Continue to 'Kick The Can

Permanent mandatory overtime for Corrections Officers has a negative effect on them that leads to high turnover, and the need to hire more COs and train them, which is inefficient and demoralizing for the Sheriff’s Office. _X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Overcrowding at the Main Jail would be alleviated if the Blaine Street Women’s Jail and the second unit at Rountree could be reopened. __ AGREE _X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Blaine Street was reopened on 5/19/23. Opening the second unit at Rountree would help ease overcrowding but would not solve it entirely. Overcrowding is a result of many different factors including but not limited to our administratively separated population, different classifications of incarcerated persons, and factors such as mental illness and substance abuse.

Keeping women who do not need to be in a high security facility in the Main Jail is clearly detrimental to their mental health, and to their chances of staying out of jail once released. __ AGREE _X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Blaine Street is more conducive to programming and a better overall environment. We disagree that the Main Jail is “clearly detrimental to their mental health, and to their chances of staying out of jail once released.” We believe mental health and recidivism are more complex issues and cannot be reduced to merely the environment in which one is housed while in custody; nor is the security level of a custodial facility determinative to its effectiveness of future recidivism rates.

Reopening Blaine Street and the second unit at Rountree would give the Sheriff’s Office much more scope to balance the jail population between the three facilities, and would allow some inmates from the Main Jail to move to Rountree and take advantage of the programming available there. _X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Lack of programming at the Main Jail is bad for inmate welfare, both their mental health while on the inside, and their ability to stay out of the criminal justice system once released. __ AGREE _X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Sheriff’s Office believes in the value of programming for incarcerated persons. We believe it can have a positive effect on their well-being, should they choose to participate. We believe mental health and recidivism are much more complex than issues such as environment and access to programming.

Programs such as those run by the Public Defender’s Office and CAFES that reduce recidivism are effective because they give former inmates the mental health and/or substance abuse treatments they need, as well as case management and supportive housing. _X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Lack of continuing care for released inmates, most especially those with mental illness, SUD and/or who will be homeless after release, significantly contributes to recidivism, which then contributes to the need for a new jail. _X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Some continuing care does exist, but is massively underfunded, especially for former inmates who need supportive housing. __ AGREE _X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Funding for these programs is outside the purview of the Sheriff’s Office. There is a need for additional continuing care in the community, particularly for those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse disorders.

The Main Jail is old, has been overcrowded, and does not meet current requirements for incarceration. __ AGREE _X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Main Jail is old, overcrowded and in need of replacement. The Main Jail is not conducive to modern Corrections practices and would not be built the same way under current practices, policies, and community expectations. However, the Main Jail has passed all Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Inspections and does meet current requirements for use as a corrections facility.

The Main Jail might be adequate for incarcerating inmates who need to be in a high security facility, providing it can be renovated to meet current incarceration requirements for a much reduced population. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The current Main Jail needs to be fully replaced. The building is old, resulting in continual and costly maintenance, and lacks the modern design and infrastructure needed to ensure efficient and secure operations. A new jail facility can address these shortcomings by incorporating state-of-the-art systems, improved inmate management techniques, and enhanced facilities for staff and inmates alike, while prioritizing the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders through better programming spaces, educational resources, and medical and mental health services. Additionally, a new facility can be designed with sustainability in mind, promoting energy efficiency while creating a safer and more effective environment for both staff and inmates that meets modern correctional standards. Furthermore, continued operation of multiple facilities in different parts of the County is costly and not an efficient use of limited staffing resources. We believe consolidating facilities to a smaller geographic area would allow more efficient utilization of staffing.