Make short-term plans with long-term in mind
Community hears jail recommendations
By Debbie Lowe

The long-awaited results of the Carroll County Jail study were presented to an audience of approximately 50 at the Canal Interpretive Center in Delphi on Dec. 12. Commissioner Loren Hylton welcomed the audience and introduced PMSIinc of Noblesville, the firm hired to study the jail in detail and provide recommendations.

Noting the jail was opened in 1983 just prior to adoption of the American Correctional Association’s state standards, Lester “Spike” Shepler said the jail has been out of state-compliance virtually since it was opened. Shepler stated however, the building has been maintained by Sheriff Dennis Randle during his tenure.

Detailed information was presented about the scope of the analysis, an overview of the justice system and jail population management issues and facility requirements.

Systemic recommendations included the creation of a meaningful monthly report, which identifies detention status to be distributed to all county criminal justice system workers. The establishment an offender population management committee was also recommended.

Shepler clearly laid the task of doing something, or nothing, at the feet of county commissioners.

Planning recommendations included the development of a long-range jail plan and re-use plan for the existing facility plus a comprehensive jail implementation plan, dispatch upgrades and establishment of a county-wide emergency operation center.

PMSI’s Bill Shepler said the county can expect a less than two percent increase in population from now until 2020. He said the county will need an 80 to 100-bed facility in the future. The current jail has 34 beds.

“County growth is pretty flat,” he said emphasizing the county needs a comprehensive approach to dealing with crime trends and the staff needed to manage those detained in the local facility.

PMSI provided four options, including approximate costs and noting advantages and disadvantages for each option. Those options included:

• Refurbish the existing building, costing between $550,000 and $965,000;

• Construct a new jail, costing between $10,000,000 and $13,500,000;

• Remodel and expand existing facility, costing from $8,625,000 to $12,015,000; and

• Remodel the existing facility for administration, dispatch and patrol division and construct a confinement facility as a separate location for $9,562,500 to $13,095,000.

According to the study, it would cost between $1,385,000 to $2,228,000 to convert the facility for other uses not related to the current use.

County resident Shirley Inman asked Shepler if there was a deadline for recommended changes to happen at the jail.

“The deadline is the day someone sues you,” he replied.

Inman said she was not convinced the study points to the need for a new jail. She further noted no judges were present in the audience and suggested the community develop methods to keep offender population lower before spending money on a new facility.

Delphi resident Tom VanSickle suggested the county develop a work-release program. Sheriff Dennis Randle said many held in the jail have not gone through the court process, been found guilty or been sentenced.

In a statement after the program, sheriffelect Tony Burns said the commissioners will drive future jail plans. He added those plans would have to be worked out with the county council.

Burns said he is in favor of establishing a work-release program. Although one option in the study suggested utilizing extra beds in a new facility to house Indiana Department of Corrections prisoners, he emphasized it would never be his recommendation to build a new facility with extra beds for that reason.

Commissioners’ president Bill Brown said the commissioners plan to take the lead for the community. He said there would be no quick decision about where to go from this point.

Brown said he is in favor of investigating the feasibility of a work-release program and an electronic monitoring system. He said he would not be in favor of housing DOC prisoners.

The entire study in detail presented by PMSI is available for review at the county auditor’s office and the Delphi office of the Comet.