|
Please notify webmaster of any questions or site problems. 
 |
|
January 2006
We Need a New Jail: Now What? Four Critical StepsMany County Commissioners have heard the Sheriff say “We need a new jail.” With fears of a budget-breaking price tag, it’s tempting to question the Sheriff’s assertion. Of course, there is the possibility that your county actually does need to evaluate its current jail situation. Why is the Sheriff so adamant about a new jail? Are there alternatives to an often difficult and expensive jail project, which will resolve the county’s jail needs? While still a formidable task, it is possible to streamline the process to develop a clear picture of your jail needs. Solutions start from a careful analysis of your needs. This allows the county to chart an informed course that will accomplish its long-term jail objectives. 1. Define the need. Overcrowding: Has your county experienced an upsurge in bookings disproportionate to the county’s overall population growth? Is there a spike in a particular type of offense that might require alternate sentencing? Sometimes, a graph might not give you the full picture of what’s really happening in your jail, so it’s important to listen to input from the Sheriff and court staff, in addition to crunching the data. Functionality: The jail functions “24/7”, so even with good maintenance, the facility will show wear and tear long before you consider it an old building. The wear may be limited to certain elements that can be easily replaced, or the condition may be so extensive that the entire facility needs to be replaced. The facility may have been designed for a particular method of operation that you can no longer afford or that has become outmoded. The staffing cost of an inefficient facility alone may justify improvements. Safety & Security: Is your jail safe for your staff and detainees? Ask the Sheriff and the jail staff for input. They operate the jail every day. Is the present security system adequate to ensure that your detainees remain detainees and not escapees? Consider physical plant and system upgrades if they improve operations and make the jail safer, more secure and a better workplace for your staff. Condition: Are there an intricate series of temporary bandages masking deep wounds to your facility? Get input from your maintenance staff. They know what they have to repair frequently and what needs to be fixed but hasn’t yet been budgeted. Their input is invaluable in defining the jail’s current condition and in helping to build a solid base for successful solutions. 2. Get the help you need. Even after taking a hard look at your jail’s population, functionality, safety & security, and condition, your county may not feel it has a grasp of what your findings mean. Get an opinion from an expert. Give the Sheriff the best analytical help you can. Consider asking the State Department of Corrections or a national organization such as the National Institute of Corrections for help. These organizations can provide you with extensive operational experience that goes beyond the borders of your county. They may show you opportunities that you never would have considered. Get input from architects, engineers and contractors who understand jails. Not only can they help you to develop your facility’s physical improvements, but also many experienced firms can perform the initial needs assessment for you and even provide you with operational recommendations. Look for long-term value from advisors who can bring creative thinking and an understanding of how jails function to focus on your need. 3. Consider the possibilities. Are you exploring alternatives to filling up your jail? Does the justice system in your community use the jail as the only sentencing alternative? Non-jail alternatives may be acceptable to the community and to the judicial system. Consider discussing acceptable non-jail diversions for those awaiting sentencing. Every alternative has strengths, weaknesses and costs. Can your present facility continue to be used with changes? Consider whether cost-effective modifications can extend the life of your jail. It may be that the ‘jail’ building takes on another function and the jail operations move into a more efficient facility. Can you partner with your neighbors who have similar concerns? You are probably not alone in your needs. Consider working cooperatively with your neighbors to meet jail needs efficiently. This may be a facility partnership or a cooperative-use agreement. The key is to find a solution beneficial to all parties for both the short and long term. Can you build a new jail? When this is the only remaining solution, you’re back to your first question that made you cringe, but now you have the factual background necessary to provide a reasoned response. The solution still has many facets: cost-effective operation, total cost, financing, staff levels, policy issues, public support – all can be addressed as the project progresses and leads to your unique solution. 4. Look for the best long-term solution within your budget. Don’t assume that a new building is the answer. Look at the justice system in your county. A comprehensive review of your justice system practices, facilities and policies will help you determine in which direction you need to head in order to address your jail issues. Increasingly the solutions go beyond buildings to policies and system practices. Every alternative has a cost so you must evaluate each one carefully. While the cost of construction can be defined in terms of labor and materials, a building’s ongoing operational cost has a larger impact over time. It is prudent to address the staff, physical plant and operating cost of each alternative. A five-word statement from your Sheriff can bring images of fiscal ruin for your county, but as one prominent county Sheriff, Bat Masterson, once said, “If you don’t deal with problems head on, they tend to sneak up behind you”. Consider the process as an opportunity to launch your county on the path to creating a comprehensive justice system that will serve your constituents long into the future at a price you can afford. *This article was submitted by Wold Architects & Engineers, Bronze AMCAM 2006 members |
|
