02-19-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--February 19, 1991 626 JAIL AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER RECOMMENDATIONS Scott Kildahl, Cass County Model Coordinator, said discussion of renovating the Jail and Juvenile Detention Center was initiated due to problems with County liability in the structure of the Jail, work release prisoners, and inspection violations. A judicial panel was formed to review alternatives, find a solution to these problems and present recommendations to the Commission. The recommendations will include: 1) a final architectural plan that addresses space, liability, code violations and efficiency problems; 2) project endorsements from state and local authorities; and 3) a financial plan to accommodate renovations. Mr. Kildahl said the panel's recommendations on the Juvenile Detention Center would be given at a later date. Ms. Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator, was on the panel and said they were asked to look at difficulties in the booking and dispatch area, liability problems as a concerned DUI oversight, and expansion of the work release program to accommodate more work release prisoners. Ms. Johnson presented plans and discussed phases of the renovation. The first phase would include separation of booking from the dispatch area, and create a security garage for cars entering the jail. Also, holding cells would be developed for prisoners who are brought in and waiting to be booked. A stairway leading to the booking area is made handicapped accessible through these plans. Additionally, an area would be designated for DUI oversight prisoners. The staff assigned to DUI prisoners would have clear access to this area, providing the County with a greater ability to monitor prisoners. Ms. Johnson discussed phase two of the renovation which would almost double the capacity for work release prisoners by adding five double- bunked beds and allowing for 10 additional work release prisoners. Several non-essential services moved to the Sheriff's Residence would be as follows: laundry facilities, jail nurse's station, addiction counselor, court liaison officer, undesignated office and new passageway from Residence to second floor of jail. Ms. Johnson said Charles Schumaker, state jail inspector, and Steve Scott, chief of security from the state penitentiary, reviewed the plans and found the renovations sufficient to meet North Dakota jail standards. Dr. Lenzmeier, Jail Physician, sent a letter saying changes in the booking/intake area Would improve the County's ability to safely care for prisoners in holding cells. She also discussed staffing changes that may occur and questioned Walt Willis, Chief Jail Correctional Officer. He said the jail would need an additional shift in order for the intake staff to effectively supervise the DUI prisoners. Sheriff Rudnick said four additional staff persons would need to be hired due to the changes.