According to the firm hired by county leaders to provide a comprehensive study about the Carroll County Jail, compiling and utilizing weekly data about jail population is recommended as the first step in the process of securing an adequate facility for the county.

PMSIinc of Indianapolis representatives Bill Shepler and Lester "Spike" Shepler, along with former state jail inspector Al Bennett, presented preliminary recommendations at the Monday night meeting.

The firm was hired to assess the need for a jail expansion, either by building a new facility or by modifying the current one.

They determined the county needs a facility that would house approximately 56 more detainees at full capacity than the current facility.

In order to begin that process, sheriff Dennis Randle agreed to generate weekly jail population reports and distribute them to county commissioners, council members, judges and the county prosecutor. The reports will detail individualized detainee information.

"It's a wise thing to do," Bennett said. "This is a good educational tool."

PMSI further recommended a jail management committee be established for offender population management.

"Management of the population is the best cost effective tool you could have," Bill Shepler said.

"This county should not build anything less than 70 beds," Shepler continued.

"That sounds like a lot since your capacity is now 34," Bennett said. "But the laws are changing and you will need that capacity," he advised.

According to the report provided, the current facility is 11,912 square feet and the county's need is for one approximately 39,429 square feet, a little more than 3.3 times the current building size.

Shepler said the cost per square foot of building is approximately $200, which would make the cost of their recommendation $7,885,800 for construction.

"You'll have to go out and borrow money," Bennett advised. "You want your hospital to have extra beds, you probably should want your jail to have extra beds too."

PMSI recommended a cumulative capital development fund be established to begin to accumulate money for the project. Upon the recommendation, four council members present in the audience decided to advertise for a resolution, prior to the next council meeting, to establish the fund.

County council president Rob Baker suggested a roundtable discussion be held to gather input from county leaders before the final recommendation is drafted.

"I've got some concerns," he said.

"You want to build what's appropriate for you," Shepler said. "The program needs to meet your needs and answer your questions."

Council member Jerry Hendress said the disposition of the current building would influence his decision about a new facility.

Options for building uses for the current facility include housing E911, a work release center, or a short term juvenile holding center.

Bill Shepler said PMSI would present options for using the current building and building a new facility in their final recommendation presentation.

A roundtable discussion was scheduled for June 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room after the scheduled council meeting.