1. Jail operations final reprt - Laserfiche WebLink

inmates use inconsistency between staff to turn one staff against another. They are able to eventually destroy working relationships that are essential to effective inmate supervision. Thus, inmates gain control. This is a very serious situation and jail operations can deteriorate quickly if not effectively addressed. Management tools must be revised to reflect operational changes that have been made since the opening of the new facility. This includes the operational policies and procedures, the post orders, the master facility activity schedule, and the inmate handbook. Each management tool must be consistent with the other tools Currently the policies and procedures are not always consistent with the inmate handbook -- a cause of conflict between staff and inmates. The jail's staffing plan must also be revised. The approved staffing plan was prepared by Captain Glenn Ellingsberg and used eight hour shifts -- typically the most efficient shift staffing. The Shift Supervisors chose to stay with the twelve-hour shifts that have been in place for several years because ora fear of hurting staff morale. Staying with twelve-hour shifts resulted in staff shortages. The Transition Team worked many hours on developing a staff work schedule that coincided with minimum coverage for each post. Some posts required coverage for parts of the day while others had to be filled for all 24 hours. Thus, they developed alternatives to the 12-hour shifts that better fit the needs of the new jail operation. Although posts requiring 24-hour coverage could stay with 12-hour shirrs3, other posts used 8 or 10-hour shifts and different shift change times corresponding to the coverage needed. Considering the effort that went into developing this schedule, it should probably be tried. s "Many jurisdictions have adopted two 12-hour shifts (for 24 hour posts) with varying degrees of success and satisfaction, Although it may initially appear that fewer staff needed to provide coverage, this is not true. Whether deployed for 8- or i 2-hour shifts, the same number of staff hours Is needed for complete coverage, A 12-hour shift configuration may seem less demanding because staff are scheduled for fewer shifts, but the overall math -- and corresponding costs will not change." Liebert, Dennis R. and Rod Miller, Staffing Analysis Workbook for J~ils, 2"~ Ed., U.S, Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, March 2001. Page 17. Cass County Jail Project 7