BC 2005 12 19 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 19, 2005 - Regular Meeting Page 437 people, to stop spending money prior to zoning approval and to put all the facts about the Jail project on the Internet. With there being no one else to address the Board, Chairman Carruth closed that portion of the meeting at 8:26 p.m. and called for a short recess. Chairman Carruth reconvened the meeting at 8:39 p.m. He stated F-4 (Sheriff's Office and Detention Center project Update and Concerns on Jail overcrowding) would be discussed next. Item No. State's (F-4) Sheriff's Office and Detention Center Project Update and State's Concerns on Jail Overcrowding Sheriff Riley introduced the Chief Jail Inspector who was present to discuss the County's position with the State and clarify a number of issues regarding the jail overcrowding. John Harkins, Chief Jail Inspector with the N. C. Division of Facility Services, stated he was at the meeting to end a letter writing campaign dealing with the over population problem. He said the jail regularly runs 50 to 60 percent over the approved occupancy rate and that number has to be quickly reduced by an average of 40 to 50 inmates per day to ensure the safety of the inmates and staff. Mr. Harkins stated he had written about alternatives that could be studied but pointed out they were not necessarily recommendations. Further, he commented on delays in building the Annex and stated the project was not moving fast enough to provide the needed bed space. Mr. Harkins responded to a number of questions by Board members. He reviewed some of the benefits, including medical costs, associated with Electronic House Arrest (ERA) and the size of such programs in other counties. He also addressed the issue of the pre-trial release program such as the one being used in Rowan County and noted the Rowan County Jail is currently over capacity. Also, he commented on the housing of inmates in other counties and the process the State would follow if it became necessary to take over the jail and reduce the number of inmates. Finally, Mr. Harkins stated that the County must take action today to relieve the jail overcrowding. Chairman Carruth stated the Board had previously looked at Electronic House Arrest. He asked Chief District Court Judge william G. Hamby, Jr., to address the Board regarding this issue. Judge Hamby reported local officials have been dealing with overcrowding for several years. He reviewed the guidelines that were established when Electronic House Arrest (ERA) was first discussed to determine which inmates would be eligible if ERA were authorized. Judge Hamby stated he and the Sheriff had reviewed the inmate confinement list earlier this date and, based on the previously established guidelines, found only one inmate who would be eligible for ERA. He also commented on the dramatic increase in the County's population and the need to start acting now to deal with the problem for the next 10 to 15 years. Sheriff Riley reported personnel from the Sheriff's Department, working in conjunction with the judicial system, perform many of the same functions as the pretrial release program on a daily basis and that the suggested alternative programs have been considered. He also commented on EHA programs, Rowan County's pretrial release program and his contact with Sheriffs in neighboring counties regarding availability of bed space to house inmates from Cabarrus County. He outlined plans to begin housing 40 inmates in Alamance County beginning in January and the verbal agreement that he has with the Alamance County Sheriff for the bed space. There was discussion regarding the pros and cons of Electronic House Arrest and pre-trial release programs. Chairman Carruth stated the issue before the Board was the approval of a budget amendment to fund the housing of inmates in Alamance County. John Day, County Manager, suggested the budget amendment of $325,000.00 included in the Agenda be increased to $370,000.00 to accommodate transferring 40 inmates rather than 35 as was previously discussed with Sheriff Riley.