Sheriff outlines jail inspection results, staffing status and facility design visits as planning advances
June 25, 2025 | Portage County, Wisconsin
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Portage County’s sheriff reported on jail operations, staffing and planning work as the county evaluates design options for a new or renovated jail.
The sheriff told the committee that the annual jail inspection by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections took place on May 28 and the county is awaiting the final report. Staffing levels are described as holding steady, though two employees remain on limited duty for work-related injuries and one employee is on extended leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for a nonwork injury.
Jail administrators said they received nine applicants for recent positions but only three candidates showed up for interviews; staff continue to recruit and build an eligibility list. The sheriff also announced promotions: Deputy Jacob McCabe was promoted to detective on June 9 and Deputy Austin Anderson was promoted to detective on June 23.
On planning, the sheriff said county teams and the owner’s representative Tegra, along with architects, have visited several newly constructed jails to review design features. “We’re trying to get similar to a population similar to size of jail to see the goods and the bads, and then we come through and we can give our architect exactly what we want,” the sheriff said. Staff described common pod sizes observed during visits as typically 10 to 15 people and said there are hybrids of direct and indirect supervision but no county jails in the state that use total direct supervision.
The sheriff’s office also reported progress with billing processes and outside partners including Tegra, BWBR and FINDOR, and noted recent community events and fundraising, including a canine fundraiser. Committee members discussed design considerations such as pod layout, sight lines, Sally port configuration and staffing implications; the sheriff’s office emphasized the goal of designing to fit Portage County staffing levels and budget.
No formal committee action was recorded on jail design during the meeting; the discussion provided direction to staff as the design and site evaluation proceed.
The sheriff told the committee that the annual jail inspection by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections took place on May 28 and the county is awaiting the final report. Staffing levels are described as holding steady, though two employees remain on limited duty for work-related injuries and one employee is on extended leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for a nonwork injury.
Jail administrators said they received nine applicants for recent positions but only three candidates showed up for interviews; staff continue to recruit and build an eligibility list. The sheriff also announced promotions: Deputy Jacob McCabe was promoted to detective on June 9 and Deputy Austin Anderson was promoted to detective on June 23.
On planning, the sheriff said county teams and the owner’s representative Tegra, along with architects, have visited several newly constructed jails to review design features. “We’re trying to get similar to a population similar to size of jail to see the goods and the bads, and then we come through and we can give our architect exactly what we want,” the sheriff said. Staff described common pod sizes observed during visits as typically 10 to 15 people and said there are hybrids of direct and indirect supervision but no county jails in the state that use total direct supervision.
The sheriff’s office also reported progress with billing processes and outside partners including Tegra, BWBR and FINDOR, and noted recent community events and fundraising, including a canine fundraiser. Committee members discussed design considerations such as pod layout, sight lines, Sally port configuration and staffing implications; the sheriff’s office emphasized the goal of designing to fit Portage County staffing levels and budget.
No formal committee action was recorded on jail design during the meeting; the discussion provided direction to staff as the design and site evaluation proceed.
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