Jails
complete, Hall said, with Oct. 1, 2016, the targeted comple- tion date. Moving from the current jail to the new facility should be finished by the end of the year. Hall said the need for the new jail developed because of a number of factors. “Overcrowding, brought on by the state not picking up prisoners, increased arrests, longer sentencing, new standards (segregation of prisoners),” he said, listing them. “We had 88 beds — [but we] average 104 per day. We lost 14 beds to standards. We can house no [misdemeanor offenders].” Te increase in size from 74 beds to 307 beds will be suf- ficient for the county’s needs for 15 to 20 years, Hall said. “Te Justice Center is located on 16 acres of ground,” he
said, “which has room to expand to two additional pods or 600 people, when necessary. Te jail is built to double popu- lation in kitchen, laundry, healthcare and other services that will be required for additional population.” Lawrence County voters approved in November 2015 an $8.2 million bond issue for a 100-bed jail to replace the cur- rent 42-bed facility in Walnut Ridge that has been placed on probation by the district jail standards review committee. “Te existing facility lacks the square footage per inmate
required by state jail standards,” Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Yates said, “among other things [that were in violation].” Te vote established a 1/2-cent sales tax, with three-eighths of a cent designated to pay for construction bonds and 1/8- cent devoted to operation and maintenance of the new facility. Construction is scheduled to be completed in December 2017 or January 2018, the sheriff said. Yates said that the overcrowded conditions not only pre- vented judges from jailing misdemeanor offenders, but the
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threat to close the jail would have meant a severe increase in costs to the county and its municipalities to take Lawrence County inmates to a facility in another county, (such as the one in nearby Greene County). In addition to the cost of the transportation, it would have resulted in additional person- nel costs for the added time required of sheriff’s deputies and police officers. Te knowledge that jail overcrowding kept arrests from be- ing made is a growing concern. “Before the new detention center,” said County Judge Da- vis of Garland County, “jail overcrowding led to being able to keep only the most violent, dangerous offenders. Non-violent offenders usually spent less than eight hours in the old jail. Tere was much public concern for public safety. “Tose released on citations/fines/fees often did not show up for court and failed to pay fines/fees because there was the perception that they would not be jailed due to the overcrowding. We were finding that many of our arrestees were from other counties and saw Garland County as a good target due to the jail overcrowding and their perception that they would not be jailed. Tat’s not the perception now because there is now a place for all offenders.” Sheriff McCormick of Garland County addressed it by saying: “For many years, the criminal element knew that there
were little to no consequences for breaking the law in Gar- land County. Tis obviously impacted local crime rates as repeat offenders were aware they could do just that — repeat- edly offend. “It was disheartening for a patrol deputy or investigator to make a good arrest, do all of the required paperwork and such, only to see that person back out on the street the next day due to a lack of jail space. Only time will tell if the new facility is having the desired outcome of stopping the ‘revolving door,’ which existed in the old facility.” Greene County Judge
Above: Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips and Jackson County Sheriff David Lucas discuss the progress being made on the new Jackson County Jail, construction on which is set to be completed this summer.
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McMillon said fine/fee col- lections have improved. “With the increase in jail population, we do now have an increase in the payment and collection of fines,” he said. “Te only problem we face is making sure we have the staffing available to col- lect and process those fine payments. “Te Blue Ribbon Jail Committee (which I chaired) that researched and present- ed the need to the general public was informed time and again by law enforce- ment personnel that ‘crimi- nals’ laughed at them on the
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