BC 2005 04 18 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 18, 2005 (Regular Meeting) Page 13 8 Mr. Goforth expressed appreciation for the Proclamation. He stated the theme for this year's observance is "Celebrate Conservation." (E-5) Jail Project Update Chairman Carpenter give an update on the Informal Public Comments. asked the County Manager and Sheriff Brad Riley to temporary jail prior to opening the meeting for Sheriff Riley gave an historical overview of the jail overcrowding during his tenure. He stated the jail was overcrowded when he became the Jail Lieutenant over seven years ago and a Full Capacity Letter was filed with the Court system at that time. He explained the number of inmates increased over the years and a feasibility analysis showed that additional bed space was needed. Sheriff Riley stated staff had looked at the possibility of transferring inmates to other facilities, but had found very little space within a 50 to 100-mile radius. In addition, he reported that staff in 2001 had looked at a pretrial program and house arrest program but had determined that those programs would not be effective. Further, Sheriff Riley stated that earlier this year the new State Jail Inspector had mandated that the County have an interim plan to address overcrowding. Staff had again reviewed the options of house arrest and/or a pretrial release program and had also looked for space that could be leased and upfitted for use as a temporary jail. John Day, County Manager, commented on the State's tougher approach in enforcing safety issues and the possibility that the State could close the jail if the overcrowding issue is not addressed. He said the County had looked at several buildings to lease and upfit. However, after comparing the cost of bringing a leased building up to code versus the cost of constructing a new County facility that could later be used for other purposes, the Board unanimously had chosen to build a facility at the Arena site. The facility will be used as a temporary jail and later reused for storage space and showers/restrooms for the RV campground. Finally, Mr. Day reported that the management firms SMG and Global Spectrum had both indicated the location of a temporary jail at the Arena would not impact future bookings. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney, responded to questions concerning the possible co-location of a facility at the State Correctional Center in Mt. Pleasant. He stated he has discussed the issue with the Department of Corrections and the Governor's Office. However, the State has not indicated a willingness to co-locate nor rejected the idea. He stated there would be some technical problems dealing with levels of incarceration. Kelly Sifford, Community Development Manager, reviewed a zoning proximity map of subdivisions near the Arena along with site plans for the temporary jail facility and its future use as a storage and showersjrestrooms facility. She reported that construction bids are due on May 11. Sheriff Riley addressed the following safety concerns: (1) will be transferred to the temporary jail by using controlled practices; (2) Only low risk inmates that meet the safety and criteria will be housed in the temporary jail; (3) All inmates processed through the main jail; and (4) There have been no escapes jail in the last fifteen years. Inmates movement medical will be from the commissioner Privette again called for the implementation of a pretrial release program similar to the one utilized by Rowan County to reduce its inmate population. There was discussion about the temporary jail and pretrial release program, including program funding and the need to reduce the jail population by 70-75 inmates in order to address overcrowding. Sheriff Riley pointed out that Cabarrus County already utilizes many aspects of the Rowan County program with the exception of paying bonds for inmates. (D) INFORMAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Carpenter opened the meeting for Informal Public Comments at 7:37 p.m. She stated each speaker would be limited to three minutes. Lynne Cagle of the Hummingbird Ridge Subdivision objected to the proposed temporary j ail and questioned the economical soundness of building the facility. She asked the Board to find a more feasible solution and suggested a committee be formed to make recommendations on alternative solutions.