Superintendent reports rising counts, PREA compliance and training gains at regional jail

The superintendent told the board the regional jail's average daily population has ticked up in recent months and noted several operational developments: successful completion of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audit, expanded crisis-intervention training with 102 staff certified, work on major piping and HVAC repairs, and continued staffing challenges that have left the modular building closed.

Key figures presented included a complex ADP cited near 457 with January and February high counts reaching the 490s and 474 respectively; staff reported 86 vacant sworn positions and 9 vacant civilian positions (95 total). The superintendent said transfers to the state system and releases were tracked monthly and that the facility continues to implement evidence-based practices such as providing Narcan to released inmates and operating a reentry dorm highlighted by an outside magazine.

Security and services: The superintendent described recent assaults on staff and the facility's reliance on administrative segregation for high-risk individuals. The jail is running key programs such as a veteran's docket and a reentry dorm aimed at preparing people for return to the community. Staff reported very low COVID-19 staff impacts and a small number of inmate positive cases at the time of the meeting.

Next steps: The board asked for clarifications about the veteran's docket, disciplinary hearing procedures and staffing impacts of continued attrition; staff responded with program descriptions and a graduation scheduled for April 12. Members emphasized the link between staffing, mandatory overtime and potential reductions in services if vacancies remain unaddressed.