“Why Do We Need a New Reno County Jail?”
I often hear people say that inmates deserve what they get. Please remember
that as we discuss the need for a new Reno County jail that all inmates are
considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law. A large majority of
inmates in our jail have not been convicted of anything. They are awaiting
trial.
Also, remember that our staff lives in the same environment, 12 hours each
day, as the inmates. Officers planning a career as a jail employee are
basically sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
Our Current Reno County Main Jail is landlocked between the Reno
County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center. If we were to build
onto the back we would need to comply with new codes, dropping our 82
beds to around 40, and forcing us to update our fire regulations. This would
be very expensive.
Our Main Jail was built in 1971 to house ALL Reno County inmates. It was
designed to house 82.
Our Jail Annex was built in June, 1998 to house people convicted of DUI
and sentenced to 48 hours. The walls of the Annex, a former auto body shop,
are hollow core cinderblock which is a great security concern. The Annex
was designed to house 80 inmates.
A private company ran the Jail Annex. Losing money, it started housing
inmates from other agencies for profit. The Annex housed inmates of ALL
levels of security in the minimum security setting.
Due to legal issues, the Sheriff took back control of the Annex in 2003. It
was then strengthened to a low level medium security.
This gave us a total of 162 beds. A jail is considered full at 80 to 85%
capacity (130-137 inmates) due to these factors: separation of males and
females, tendencies for violence, safety of inmates, discipline and medical.
Jail Populations (This was not a major issue in the 2006 jail vote.)
In 2002, Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS) inmates were kicked
out due to overcrowding.
Average Daily Population
Highest 1 Day Population
2000 = 136
155
2001 = 142
157
2002 = 160
169
2003 = 148
160
2004 = 142
149 Study by Carter Goble
2005 = 125 SB 123 took effect, giving drug offenders more treatment
2006 = 110
leading to lower jail populations
2007 = 133
163
2008 = 135
182
2009 = 168
209
2010 = 169
199
2011 = 146 (still over 85% *)
179
*A jail population of 80-85% capacity (130-137 inmates)
In 2002, female incarcerations averaged 5 per day. In 2010, average was 29
but peaked at 39 that September.
Population and Security Level changes.
Even though we were well aware of being overcrowded, we tried to be
fiscally responsible to the citizens by keeping all Reno County inmates here,
not paying to house them out.
Drastic Housing Changes
In April, 2010, that changed with an attempted jail escape in the Jail
Annex. Inmates, using improvised tools, tried to remove blocks from the
wall in the shower area. At that time we were housing inmates who could get
along in a dormitory type setting regardless of their criminal history. A gang
member from Wichita, who had been arrested for murder here in Reno
County was housed there, as well as others who had committed violent
crimes. This housing issue was due to a very limited Classification system.
We restructured our system in order to keep certain people out of the Annex.
This included those with felony convictions, violent inmates, and people
incarcerated for sale or manufacturing drugs, unless approved by our
Administration. This change decreased the numbers in the 80-bed facility to
approximately 45-55 people per day.
On August 16th, 2010, a second drastic change took place. The Kansas Fire
Marshal’s Office came to do their annual inspection. We were housing 144
inmates that day, 94 in the 82-bed Main Jail and 50 in the Jail Annex. We
were reprimanded for having inmates on the floor (tripping hazard), not
having an additional fire exit and for no sprinkler system. We appealed and
won on the additional fire exit and the sprinkler system, however lost the
overcrowding issue. We were forced to limit our numbers to 82 maximum in
the Main Jail and required to have a Fire Inspections specialist visit to
further evaluate the jail. He told us we needed a smoke barrier in the jail so
we could move inmates from one area in the jail to the other side while still
being secure. That cost us $4,000. The inspector also put us on notice that
we had to alter the laundry room so it could be sealed off in the event of a
fire. Closing the door was not a solution since the laundry room has open
vents into 6 cells. The air vents act as part of the ventilation system for the
entire Law Enforcement Center. Fixing this would entail restructuring the
entire ventilation system and would be very expensive. The Fire Marshal has
taken this under consideration and is awaiting results of the New Jail Vote
scheduled for April 2013.
Out of County Housing
Due to the changes made after the escape attempt and the Fire Marshal’s
restrictions, we had no choice but to start housing out of county. Currently
we are housing inmates at Butler County, Ford County, Kiowa County, Rice
County and McPherson County.
If statistics hold steady and we continue housing on the average of 169
inmates per day, we can house around 70 at the Main Jail (need room for
peaking) and 50 inmates that qualify at the Jail Annex. We would still be
housing 49 inmates daily out of county. Currently we pay on average $35.00
per day per inmate to house out to other counties. This costs us $1,715.00
per day or $625,975 a year. These figures do not include the cost of
transportation, staffing, etc. required for each prisoner trip. ($15,000 was
budgeted in 2010 for outside prisoner board and we spent over
$219,000. Our budget for outside prisoner board in 2012 is $400,000).
Jail Captain Larry Dyer was advised, by State Prison Officials in January,
that there are no plans to build more prisons in the near future. Instead, the
State is going to sign contracts with Sheriff’s to house State inmates in
County Jails and pay $60 per day. Who’s inmates do you think Butler Co
and Ford Co will take if they can make $60 per day per inmate compared to
the $35 per day we are paying? I do not want to build a jail with the sole
intent to make money on it, but until we run out of space, we might as well
be receiving the $60 for housing these inmates.
Legislation also affects our numbers. We were fortunate that the 2011
legislation on DUI’s didn’t increase the mandatory jail sentences on
individuals. However, it added mandatory arrest on Domestic Violence cases
which will somewhat increase our numbers.
Classification is a huge issue with the current Reno County Jail. The fact is,
“Not only bad people go to jail, sometimes good people makes mistakes
and end up in jail.” Our current facility does not give us the flexibility to
separate the bad check writers from the violent predators, the well behaved
from the misbehaved, and in some cases adequate male and female
separation.
Work Release: Currently the Reno Co Jail has NO WORK RELEASE
programs because of the need to keep working inmates isolated from the
general population. This is largely due to the increased risk of contraband
entering the jail setting. Under current conditions if an inmate is sentenced to
30 days in jail for committing a crime and he has a job, he either loses the
job or is sentenced to jail for 15 weekends to complete his sentence. This is a
huge burden on jail staff due to the paperwork generated each time the
inmate is re-booked. And not offering work release as an option limits the
alternatives of the courts in sentencing inmates.
Lack of Programs and Building Positive Habits - To pass their time our
jail offers inmates three meals, reading and TV. Often an inmate will get up
for the 5:30 a.m. breakfast then go back to bed until lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Inmates usually watch TV, read, or go back to bed until supper at 5:30 p.m.
In their down time they either sleep or talk to other inmates (which may lead
to re-offending or planning ways to keep from being caught or cause trouble
for the jail staff). We have no programs, secure recreation yard, library, or
work details to keep them busy and they are not developing habits that will
help their re-entry into society.
The Public / Staff Safety is put in jeopardy every day inmates are taken to
court. Inmates are moved through the public hallways because we have no
secure corridors. This leaves the public, inmates and staff at risk of injury,
increases the risk of inmate escapes, and the possibilities for the intimidation
of witnesses and jurors. This increased general risk is not acceptable and is
magnified due to no security in the Courthouse. Staff is also at increased
risk when making rounds through narrow catwalks where they are exposed
to being grabbed by inmates or have food, urine or feces thrown on them.
Inmates Have Changed
Judge Joe McCarville reiterated what I have been saying for some time.
Inmates are more violent than in the past. This is primarily due to the fact
that more non-violent inmates are in diversion programs to keep them out of
jail and to keep populations down. The use of drugs and the State’s
decision to close mental treatment facilities has made today’s inmates
more violent and less predictable. When our jail transport team receives a
Court Order to take an inmate to Larned for evaluation, it is not uncommon
for them to wait for 3 or 4 months for an empty bed. We are unable to
separate out inmates with mental health and emotional issues from inmates
that may take advantage of them.
Air Quality: The current Main Jail has ductwork that has been exposed to
overflowing toilets due to air supply grilles located in the floor. These ducts
likely harbor contaminates that not only exist in the air of the jail, but also
circulate throughout the Law Enforcement Center due to the common
mechanical system.
Lawsuits: The current facility does not meet ACA standards. This is the
legal requirement and recommendations for facilities that we will be judged
by in the event of an inmate lawsuit. This exposes the County to potential
financially devastating lawsuits.
Inefficiencies: Operating from two facilities as we currently do is inefficient
and requires staff to duplicate work, (ie, kitchen, laundry, medical). The staff
in the Annex building and the staff in the Main Jail are not available as a
secure response team for one another.
Inmate Observation: Due to the linear style layout in the Main Jail, inmates
cannot be observed from any single location. To check on inmates, officers
must travel down narrow catwalks or bars in order to view the inmates. This
gives inmates long periods of time to be unobserved between guard tours.
Old Facilities: The Main jail facility is more than 35 years old and is
basically worn out. Between the mechanical system, plumbing system and
electrical system, the building layout was planned without regard to efficient
staff travel, safety or expansion. The thick concrete walls are not conducive
for remodeling.
See the Benefits of a new jail and the cost on the next 2 pages.
What Benefit is a New Reno County Jail?
A new, free standing jail which conforms to ACA standards.
Constructed on a site with ability to expand – Blanchard / Severance, NE corner.
Capacity of 250 inmates (infrastructure for future expansion, kitchen and laundry)
Space for appropriate administration, security, support services, and programs.
Secure areas to give us ability to keep the worst of the worst and to isolate inmates
for their safety. Flexibility of 20 person pods which can be used for all
classifications.
A functional jail that will allow the space to classify inmates appropriately.
A Philosophy change from simply housing inmates to offering opportunities so
they may become more productive citizens by building positive re-entry habits and
through programs such as:
Positive routine
Cognitive thinking to change behavior
Strengthening families
Possible GED’s
Resume Writing
NA and AA classes
Anger management
How to fill out a job application
Library (necessary for law research)
Inmates would be required to be out of bed by 7 a.m., make beds and not go back
until lights out. They would be required to be involved in programs, recreation,
and work details. This prepares them for when they get out of jail and to be
productive citizens who get out of bed and go to work.
Work Release facilities so inmates, both male and female, can maintain their jobs
while incarcerated and gives courts an alternative sentencing.
Medical area with isolation cells and positive pressure cell for communicative
diseases.
Secured recreation yard.
Video court and adequate visitation for attorneys. / Video visitation for families.
See cost estimate on next page
Estimated Cost of the New Reno County Jail Project
The cost of building a new jail would be around $25 million. If we add
moving the non-court functions to the old Jail Annex, which would give the
public a ground floor entrance, parking close to the door and keeps the
public away from the courts and inmate traffic. This would raise the cost to
$27 - $28 million.
The Reno County Commission is looking at funding the Jail Project with a
½ cent Sales Tax.
Sales Tax is paid by anyone making a purchase in Reno County.
Persons from out of town that attend the Kansas State Fair, the National
Junior College Basketball Tournament, the Kansas Cosmosphere and
Underground Museum would all be helping pay for our jail.
The reality of this Sales Tax is as follows:
If you purchase $100.00 worth of groceries, it would cost you an additional
.50 (fifty cents).
If you purchase a $40,000 car it would cost you $200.
Currently, it is estimated that 10% of Reno Counties Sales Tax is from
persons that come in from outside of Reno County.
There would be a Sunset (termination) on this Sales Tax in 8 - 10 years.
To continue, it would have to be approved by a majority of the Reno County
voters.
For further information on the financials of this project, please read the
article written by Hutch News reporter Ken Stephens dated June 17,
2012.
(Attached to website)