'Snapshot' of jail reviewed (07/23/07)

The sheriff's department and DLZ architecture and engineering firm presented Jay County Commissioners with some projected needs for a potential jail renovation.

Armed with statistics about the Jay County corrections population, Paul E. Downing, a criminal justice planner for DLZ, said the plan represents a "snapshot" of the facility's ability to provide adequate services.

The jail has seen an overall increase in the number of inmates since 1990, said Downing, former state jail inspector. Average daily population totaled 25 inmates during that year. It peaked to 49.7 in 2002 and dipped to 42 in 2006. The average over that five-year period is 46.5 inmates per day.

The jail has 50 beds, Sheriff Ray Newton said.

Downing said much of the increase has come from stricter drug and alcohol laws, which frequently call for longer jail times. There have also been additional class-D felonies duing that time, he added.

Many times this doesn't add more inmates, but requires them to spend more time in jail, Downing said.

"The offenders are sitting there longer," Downing said.

Representatives from DLZ said that by the year 2030 there will be an average daily population of 87 inmates in the Jay County jail.

Another problem with limited space, Downing said, is that it has become more difficult to separate inmates based on classification of offenses. This has made it more common for "predator and prey" to be housed together, he added.

Downing also said the current corrections facility in Jay County lacks several key features, including a padded room for disruptive inmates, indoor exercise facility and sufficient administrative office space.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said he wants to make sure an addition to the facility is built to suit the needs of the county, but also allows for necessary growth in inmates and staffing.

"We built for our needs back in 1984 and here we are again," Miller said, referring to the current county jail.

Miller also said operating costs are a concern in addition to building prices.

"The building is the easy part. It's the ongoing costs that are going to eat the taxpayers' money," he said.

Downing said additional funds for operating expenses could be available through a community corrections grant.

Newton said funds could also be raised if Jay County houses inmates from other counties or the state, which will bring in $35 a day per inmate.[[In-content Ad]]