Warden reports 86 inmates and says mental-health services improving amid staffing strain

The Warden told meeting members that the Warren County jail held 86 inmates and that community-service work details continue at local sites including Pine Grove and St. Joe's. "We are at 86 inmates incarcerated," the Warden said.

The Warden updated the body on operations, saying the facility has resumed several work-detail placements and that food-service changes made about a year ago have reduced inmate grievances. "Meals are much much better," the speaker said, adding that the facility still has occasional difficulty hiring cooks.

The Warden also clarified comments from a prior meeting about qualifications for a lieutenant position, apologized for any offense caused and emphasized respect for the officer involved. "I just want to apologize for any remarks that may have caused any um offense to that officer," the Warden said.

Officials reported recent training activity: a mental-health course conducted on June 16 and 18 by Joanie and upcoming firearms transition and annual qualifications for staff beginning in July. The Warden said new officers from the recent academy "shot very well" and that there were no immediate concerns about anyone failing qualifications.

Mental-health services were described as functioning well. The Warden and other speakers said the facility addressed a case that had driven overtime at the hospital by transferring the person to Torrance, and that a medication-assisted-treatment/VA license for the Jamestown site is pending state approval. The Warden credited Ashley Holt, who "has come in and taken over for mental health" and who is "doing [a] fantastic job" arranging timely appointments and referrals.

Members acknowledged staffing shortages and low morale as the principal operational strain but said they believe the operation is stabilizing. A motion recorded in the meeting minutes carried; members set the next meeting for July 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance from this meeting: a motion to enter executive session was moved and seconded and carried; a motion to approve the minutes was moved, seconded and carried; and a motion to accept the ordinance report was moved, seconded and carried (the transcript records members saying "I" in favor but does not list individual vote names). The transcript does not record any formal disciplinary or personnel decisions during this session.

The Warden's update focused on operational status, training, mental-health services and staffing; no regulatory citations or new ordinances were introduced during the update.